Schools must be cautious about investigating any misconduct allegations against teachers to ensure the proper processes are followed, professional teaching bodies have warned.
Council on Professional Conduct in Education chairman Pun Tin-chi said all matters concerning professional standards should be brought before the council.
'A school is not sufficient to conduct an investigation by itself,' he said. 'They can take the issue to the Council on Professional Conduct in Education, which is a consultative organisation.'
The chairman of the Association of Heads of Secondary Schools William Yip Kam-yuen said schools should also seek help from police if there is any suspicion that a criminal offence may have taken place.
'A school principal should ask police to investigate after he has confirmed the source of complaint is quite reliable and has gathered some evidence suggesting the accusation might be true.'
Mr Yip said a principal should keep in close contact with the school's board about any move to suspend a teacher from teaching and about reporting the case to the police. They had to be cautious about every action.