I am appalled by the pace of investigations into racism and sexism at the English Schools Foundation (ESF), Hong Kong’s largest international school group, and its lame apology to its students for what its head described as “unconscious bias” on campus, which seemed to have gone on for a while. This is in stark contrast with how quickly the ESF is able to review its syllabus in response to the national security law (“ Hong Kong international school group eyes curriculum over security law ”, August 26). The ESF head went on to say that the foundation does not have “an issue of racism or sexism any more so than any other schools or businesses globally.” Does she mean this form of bias is acceptable, or that it is acceptable that there was no school intervention? Notwithstanding the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements, I would think that schools such as those under the ESF should take the complaints seriously, and take the lead to ensure that no form of racism or sexism is tolerated, and that deterrent action is taken. Children should be educated in a school environment wherein they are inculcated with values on how they should treat people and on the respect that should be shown to others. Therefore, it is disappointing to hear how certain former students were traumatised and have had to seek therapy. While it may take time to see progress on this in Asia, I note that these are not isolated events in ESF schools and doubt this would have come to light if the cumulative complaints had not surfaced. Tess Downey, Pok Fu Lam