Eight teachers at Northern Lamma School have threatened to resign if the principal who was sacked and reinstated this week is still in her position at the beginning of next term.
But Lamma Island villagers rallied behind principal Jennie Yuen Chun-ni after former school supervisor Chau Kim-hung tried to oust her. The Islands District Council, Lamma Island (North) Rural Committee and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) have also pledged support for Ms Yuen, who the Education Department reinstated on Monday.
Tsang Chiu-kit, who last Friday was appointed acting principal by Mr Chau and has taught at the school for 23 years, said about half the teachers planned to resign. 'It is impossible for us to win this dispute if the Education Department is against us.' Mr Chau, a local building contractor who has been supervisor since 1996, was removed from the post and school management committee.
This week, the rural committee and district council sent letters to the Education Department to condemn Mr Chau's action. 'The community was very angry to know that Ms Yuen was sacked by Mr Chau . . . he shows no respect to the Education Department and the law . . . we agree with and support the department's move,' they wrote.
The PTA also supported Ms Yuen and condemned legislator Leung Yiu-chung, who is campaigning for Mr Chau. 'Mr Leung cannot tell black from white by supporting Mr Chau's illegal action,' said PTA chairman Ng Kai-sum.
Mr Leung yesterday met Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun, the Permanent Secretary for Education. 'I want her to investigate and see both sides of the story,' he said.
