Residents in Hong Kong head to the polls Sunday in a citywide legislative election after the ruling party made an abrupt about face on the hot-button issue of education reform.<br/> <br />Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying announced late Saturday he would roll back a controversial education curriculum in order to quell mass protests taking place the days before.<br/> <br />The education program-- comprised of mandatory patriotism classes-- were criticised as Communist Party-style propaganda aimed at indoctrinating young children.<br/> <br />After casting his ballot Sunday, Leung said his decision to leave the classes up to individual schools should help satisfy public opinion.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The policy changes that I announced yesterday on the Moral and National Education curriculum were proposed after we listened to the opinions of various education groups. I believe the new policy can satisfy various opinions and has gained the biggest consensus."<br/> <br />A number of controversies have dealt a blow to the pro-Beijing Leung and may prove beneficial to pro-democracy candidates when elections results are tallied.
