Panel backs 60 as teacher retirement age
A government proposal to force school teachers and principals to retire at 60 received cross-party support from a Legislative Council panel.
But members expressed concern about whether there was a fair mechanism for teachers and principals to appeal if their application to stay on was rejected.
Cheung Man-kwong of the Democratic Party said: 'A mechanism for appeal against a refusal of extension is very important. The mechanism must be independent and fair for teachers and principals alike.' The present retirement age for teachers and principals set down in the Education Ordinance is 70, while in the Code of Aid for Secondary Schools it is 60.
Teachers and principals can apply for extensions of contracts on reaching retirement age, and the decision rests with the Director of Education.
Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower Joseph Lai Yee-tak told the education panel there would be an improved mechanism in the bill.
'The proposed amendment will contain an appeal committee, formed by non-government members.' The Government's decision to update the law was a move to prevent further lawsuits brought by ageing teachers against the Education Department's refusal to extend contracts after reaching retirement age.
A court in June declared that the code was 'unenforceable' against the ordinance.
Director of Education Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun said the aim of setting a retirement age was to ensure an injection of new blood into school leadership.
