DSE takers taught to mind manners after disrespecting Michelle Obama

Dozens of candidates left disrespectful comments on former US first lady Michelle Obama's Instagram page after an extract from her book was used in the English language exam of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education.

The comments prompted the exams authority and others to tell students to be respectful.

Friday's English reading exam - the first paper of this year's university entry exams - had one question featuring a personal essay written by the wife of former president Barack Obama as well as an extract from her memoir Becoming. The memoir was published in 2018 and was later released in 24 languages.

But some Hong Kong students found passages in Becoming difficult to understand and took their frustrations to Obama's social media page.

Some left comments with foul language and racist and sexist connotations while others attacked the Obama couple.

One wrote: "While Barack ruined [lots] of young lives in the Middle East, Michelle followed her husband's footsteps by ruining the lives of 2023 HKDSE peeps by ruining our grades! Good job Obamas."

Some went to Michelle Obama's Instagram with "BOOOOOOOOMMMM" - a phrase that appeared on another passage in the reading exam. They also blamed her for ruining their university dream.

One candidate posted: "Michelle, if my [Joint University Programs Admissions System] results [are low] it's on you."

Some Hongkongers later apologized to Obama on her page and urged exam candidates to calm down.

"She wrote the book but [was] not the one [who] designed your DSE paper," one commenter said. "DSEers for 2023, please leave her alone."

Another wrote: "Though Michelle probably doesn't read any of the nonsense just wanna say this is so crazy. Blaming one's failure on others is that the future of HK?"

When selecting materials the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, a spokeswoman said, considers the language ability of candidates, the interest and educational significance of the topics, and the relevance of materials to the candidates' daily lives. And candidates "should remain polite and respectful when expressing their opinions."

This year's English reading paper was one of the most challenging in recent years, teachers said.

In the passage, Obama wrote about her childhood and growth under the nurturing of her mother Mariam Robinson and her aunt Robbie, who taught piano.

Speaking after the reading exam, an English teacher from CMA Secondary School in Sham Shui Po said it would have been challenging for some students to understand the cultural differences.

"Most of us would know who Michelle Obama is," Fiona Pang said. "But some students may not understand the parenting style and family values."

Ng Po-shing, a student consultant for the Hok Yau Club, told students to focus on upcoming exams as "it is indeed a waste of time to look back on exams that have already finished as we can't change the answers."

He added that perhaps only a few students had commented at first, but after the issue hit forums more people went to Obama's Instagram. "I don't think those commenting were all DSE candidates."

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com