School heads told about confidential complaints from staff, Hong Kong education boss admits as investigation begins into teacher’s death
- Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung says his department may contact a school after complaint is received
- Identity of staff member can be revealed and principals are sometimes left to investigate themselves
Hong Kong’s education chief has said it is inevitable that the Education Bureau would get help from the management of a school when a complaint is received against its board members, staff or the principal.
Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung revealed on Sunday that the complainant’s identity may also be exposed during the handling process, but said that was only to better understand and effectively address their concerns.
His admission comes nearly two weeks after the death of Lam Lai-tong, a Chinese and library studies teacher at TWGHs Leo Tung-hai Lee Primary School, in Tin Shui Wai.
Lam, who had worked at the school for more than 20 years, was said to be under extreme stress and made to work while she was ill just before her death. The 48-year-old died after falling from a six-storey campus building.
Last week, Yeung confirmed that authorities received a complaint against a primary school months before the teacher died.