Editorial | End of top teachers’ union a lesson for others in new reality
- Disbanding of the Professional Teachers’ Union not only raises questions over the rights of its 95,000 members, but also casts doubt over the future of the opposition camp in an increasingly difficult environment
The winding up of the Professional Teachers’ Union (PTU) following mounting political pressure has been met with shock and regret.
Not only does it raise questions over the rights and representation of tens of thousands of teachers, but also casts doubt over the future of the opposition camp in an increasingly difficult environment.
Just days ago, the 47-year-old union was struggling to adapt after the Education Bureau severed all ties after it came under attack from state media for political activism.
In response, the PTU took several conciliatory steps, including a pledge by its leaders to focus only on education affairs and create a new group that would promote a better understanding of Chinese history, culture and national affairs among teachers. However, those moves could not bail the 95,000-member body out of the crisis.
“Even with the many options we have thought about, we cannot find one that is feasible,” union president Fung Wai-wah said.