First local lay head quits elite Catholic school

The first lay principal of one of Hong Kong's top Catholic schools has resigned - just weeks before his two-year probationary period was due to end.

Dr Paul Lau Wai-keen, principal of La Salle College, announced this week he was retiring for 'personal reasons'. This followed stories in the Chinese media about criticisms of his English abilities.

The Kowloon Tong boys' school had been headed by brothers of the Lasallian educational order for 72 years before Dr Lau took over in September 2004.

School supervisor Brother Patrick Tierney said that Dr Lau, who was in his mid-50s, was taking early retirement and vice-principal Wong Yen-kit would serve as acting head until a new principal was found. The school management committee would meet on July 10 to discuss the recruitment process.

'We are hoping for the best possible new principal,' he said. 'We are looking for a capable, experienced candidate who has previous experience in school administration. But it is somewhat unlikely to expect to have a new principal in position in time for the start of the new academic year.'

Brother Patrick said media coverage of Dr Lau's English standard had been 'not too helpful' and had added to the pressures of the principal's job.

'For memos, circulars and notes going to the public, in general we were certainly hoping for an acceptable standard of English,' he said. 'The notes must have been perceived by some people to be less than acceptable, since they were sent to the media.