The English Schools Foundation (ESF) has been chastised - like a naughty child - for bad behaviour and told it must do better.
It has been subjected to intense scrutiny in recent months and has effectively been hauled in front of the class twice to be given a dressing down. The latest criticism of its management came this week from the Legislative Council Public Accounts Committee. The Audit Commission voiced similar concerns in November.
The possibility remains that the ultimate punishment will be imposed - the threatened scrapping of its government subsidy. Much, it seems, will depend on whether the institution is able to put its house in order.
The reaction of the ESF to the criticism is therefore of the utmost importance. All those with a stake in the foundation - children, parents and teachers - will be relieved to see it has responded well.
The new management team has shown it is determined to try to meet education chief Arthur Li Kwok-cheung's demand that it 'pull its socks up'.
Now that deficiencies have been identified - and are being tackled - the attacks on the organisation should cease. It deserves to be given time to implement the reforms proposed in the two recent reports. It should be allowed to show if it is capable of implementing changes that will make it a model of good management, cost-effectiveness and efficiency.