No student disciplined for singing the national anthem too softly, Tai Po school clarifies

The Tai Po Old Market Public School clarified on Tuesday that no students have been disciplined for singing the national anthem too softly, after news of the school doing so broke out online yesterday.

According to a post published on an online forum on Monday, a primary five girl at the Tai Po school was disciplined for “not singing the national anthem loud enough during school assembly”.

The netizen noted that remarks made on the girl’s student handbook were signed by the vice-principal, yet no photo evidence was provided.

The school issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying that the relevant online post was false. The school principal also issued a circular saying that parents were important partners of the school, and that parents should work closely with the school to maintain close communication.

Hong Kong education authorities had previously criticized pupils and teachers for singing the national anthem too softly.

The Education Bureau’s “Inspection Annual Report 22-23” noted that “teachers and students sang the national anthem together, but the singing was a little soft,” suggesting that “schools must boost students’ confidence and habit in singing the national anthem.”

In a separate document teaching schools how to improve national education, the bureau also suggested setting targets for pupils, including singing the national anthem loudly and sharing with peers the country’s latest developments.

Lawmakers had previously questioned such evaluation, saying that singing the national anthem softly does not equal being unpatriotic.