Name: Cheng Sing-yip Age: 53 Years of headship: seven School: Pui Ching Middle School Did you always want to be a school principal? Before I was principal here, I had been both a teacher and head at other schools for 16 years. So, really, I always wanted to be teacher.
It is a fulfilling job when you see the fruits of your labour - students hungry for knowledge and teachers getting respect.
What is the most demanding part of a principal's job today? It cannot be denied that Chinese-language schools have a lower standing in Hong Kong society. As one of the few Chinese-taught secondary schools (until planned changes take effect), we often are considered inferior.
Parents think English-language schools are better than Chinese schools.
We have to prove to the parents that Chinese-language schools do not equate with lower quality.
We can be equally as good as the famous English schools but we are currently shouldering heavy pressure through parental prejudice and a fluctuating student quality.
How does today compare with the challenges 10 years' ago? Things are more complicated in both education and society as a whole. Schools face new innovations and demands.
