Councillors stage class-size protest
Sha Tin representatives hit back at education chief's criticism of their schools
Sha Tin district councillors staged a protest march yesterday to hit back at education chief Arthur Li Kwok-cheung's criticism of schools trying to introduce small-class teaching.
More than a dozen councillors marched from the Legislative Council building to government headquarters in Central, where they presented a petition to education officials calling for smaller classes.
One of the marchers, Tsoi Yiu-cheong, said Professor Li was demeaning schools in the eyes of the public.
'Small-class teaching is one of the most efficient ways to improve quality, though it may also address the problem of student shortages in the district,' he said.
'Professor Li should respect the demand from schools and parents for better education.'
The protest was mounted in response to remarks by Professor Li, the secretary for education and manpower, who said it was 'unacceptable' and 'disappointing' that schools in Sha Tin were trying to save jobs by implementing smaller classes.
He also asked schools with a low student intake to improve their quality. 'They have to ask themselves why so many parents have chosen not to enrol in their schools,' Professor Li said.
The Sha Tin Primary School Heads' Association had earlier asked the government to allow small-class teaching in the district, where the number of Primary One pupils has dropped drastically this year, from 5,200 to 3,300.
It suggested schools there be allowed to open Primary One classes for a minimum of 16 pupils, and keep the class size below 25. The standard class size now ranges from 32 to 37 pupils.
Under the current system, schools have to cease running Primary One classes when the enrolment falls below 23.
The association said it was disheartened by Professor Li's remarks.
The association released a statement saying: 'Without understanding our reasons and intentions, Professor Li was bad-mouthing our schools in front of the media and public.
'His hostile attitude towards teachers is very disheartening. We wish that Professor Li would be more discerning over his words so that he would not discourage teachers and education workers again.'
Legislator-elect Cheung Man-kwong, who is also president of the Professional Teachers' Union, sided with the association.
The union met members of other school groups to discuss the campaign for smaller classes in Sha Tin, Tai Po and other districts that have seen a sharp drop in the student population.
