Our Desk | DSEJ’s blind self-confidence

Julie Zhu

When government departments do not know how to lie, or when they do not want to lie, they make themselves look and sound funny.

The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) has always been a seamless role model when it comes to this.

When the rainstorms come and pour down, which in turn forces students and parents to either prepare to go to school or make the decision of staying home, DSEJ issues a school suspension that is, according to them, always announced in a timely fashion.

The SMG’s broadcasts are one thing, DSEJ’s self-confidence is another.

“We provided support to [schools/parents/students] immediately” and “we have instructions to encounter problems like this” are frequently voiced by DSEJ representatives. 

Not only does DSEJ give the public a bunch of repeated unpractical theory in regard to helping the city’s students, and education development, it also claims to react fast in the face of an emergency.

Such reactions are usually twofold: first, sending one division head to take, on behalf of the bureau, all the bullets shot by the public and the media; two, saying afterwards that the bureau was prompt in taking action as soon as it was notified of the emergency. 

What action did DSEJ take? 

I cannot make any comment since I am truly embarrassed to make even an educated guess. 

However, it seems that the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau always takes theoretical stances rather than practical action. 

Once again, we go back to the question: does DSEJ know what is the cause of all things on Earth? Perhaps only about the weather, but not about any other topic, specifically concerning the education sector, which is the brain department behind all traditions, culture, society, and responsible for the future of the city. 

Does DSEJ really know about the reality of the education sector, and its problems and advantages?

Why can’t there be at least one single person in the public education sector capable of talking to people normally, rather than citing a booklet; an instruction manual that is probably fake.

In recent times, DSEJ gave some answers that I have never managed to understand. 

In January, the Anglican College suspended classes following a discovery of nearby asbestos. 

Last week, an alleged case of sexual assault was reported in a local kindergarten. DSEJ says, as always, that it “took immediate and timely actions.”

“A family welcomed the birth of a boy. The family was extremely happy. When the boy was one month old, the family showed the boy to their guests, probably, or naturally, for the hope of getting some good luck. One guest said: the boy will make a good fortune in the future. The man who said it received a lot of appreciation in the future. Another guest said: the boy will become a government principal official. The man received several flattering words. Yet another guest said: the child will die in the future, and this guest was beaten up by a joint-effort of all the other people. The one who mentioned death said the inevitable, the one who told about fortune lied. However, the one who lied was paid back well, whereas the one who said the inevitable was beaten up. You?

“Neither do I want to lie, nor do I want to be beaten up. So, teacher, what should I say?

“Then, you must say: aha! child. Aha, hahaha. Hehehe, hehehehehe!” (Lu Xun).