There has been concern in the media that overseas universities (especially British Commonwealth) are discriminated against by employers, particularly by principals in secondary schools. Another concern, of equal importance, is the abrupt change in policies since the handover of Hong Kong.
I was secondary school-educated in Hong Kong then went to Australia for university and teacher education. After graduating I came back to Hong Kong. I taught continuously until 1995 (a total of 26 years) when I emigrated to Australia. I returned to Hong Kong in September, 1997.
When I have phoned, faxed or written to schools recently, I have received replies such as: 'We prefer local candidates.' Colleagues who followed a similar path, but who studied at local universities, are hired.
I write to appeal against this discrimination.
I suggest a centralised teacher recruitment be set up by the education authorities in order to rule out different standards adopted by the schools.
A. YIP North Point
