Mum bribed kindergarten boss with designer clothes to give son treats, Kowloon court hears
Kindergarten principal and pupil's mother accused by anti-corruption commission; trial hears boy was singled out for favoured treatment
A kindergarten teacher was instructed to help one little boy get a fresh change of vest daily, and while the rest of the pupils celebrated birthdays in monthly groups, he was thrown a party all of his own - thanks to his mother's designer-label gifts, Kowloon City Court was told.
In a case brought by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the then principal of Victoria (Harbour Green) Kindergarten, Li Ling-sau, 44, denies accepting an advantage and inciting others to accept an advantage. The mother, Wong Wing, 39, denies four counts of offering advantages.
At the first open hearing on Monday, the court was told that in return for special treatment for her son, Li had accepted between December 2012 and May 2013 a Moiselle jacket which Wong had bought for HK$5,100 and a Bally scarf for which she had paid HK$1,498.
As well as his fresh vests and exclusive birthday party, the special treatment was said to include instructions for the school nurse to give him his medicine, which the court heard could have been given at home, and extra attention from Li herself when it was discovered the boy was falling behind in class.
The boy was allegedly also able to "jump the queue" from the kindergarten's two-day pre-nursery class to a much sought-after five-day pre-nursery class, despite a long waiting list.
Additionally, Li was accused of inciting teachers at the kindergarten to accept from Wong three designer purses - one from Bally, and two from Salvatore Ferragamo valued at HK$1,975. The purses were purchased at Tung Chung outlet shops or discount stores.
Li allegedly wanted the teachers in return to buy books for the boy. However, the teachers turned down the gifts after discussing the matter between themselves.
Witness Christina Ting Yuk-chee, a co-founder of the Victoria Education Organisation and the kindergarten supervisor, acknowledged the school's teachers' handbook barred staff from accepting gifts valued at over HK$200 except in "special circumstances".
But Ting admitted she herself had once received gifts of gratitude from parents. "The parents were thankful and I didn't want to pour cold water on them," she said.
She also said the organisation's management committee has considered amending the gift-giving policy in late 2013 as it was "outdated".
The hearing continues on Tuesday before magistrate Chu Chung-keung.
