Hong Kong protests: teachers warned online comments are subject to regulations as education chief urges schools to suspend those arrested for serious crimes
- Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung says comments on social media platforms may reflect the moral values teachers hold
- Most complaints against teachers involve inappropriate remarks on social media, including hate speech, provoking violence and foul language, he says
Hong Kong’s education chief has warned that teachers’ personal remarks on social media – including on private sites – are regulated by the law and a professional code of conduct and that those who behave inappropriately should face consequences.
Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said on Wednesday that comments made on social media platforms involved professional conduct as they may reflect the moral values teachers held. He also dismissed claims that teachers’ freedoms were being restricted.
At a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday, Yeung said: “I must emphasise that [regulating teachers’ remarks on social media] is not a restriction on their rights to express their political views or comment on social issues … but freedom of speech is not without restrictions, and should be exercised lawfully and reasonably.”
Teachers must adhere to the Code for the Education Profession of Hong Kong while the control of schools and teaching therein are covered by the Education Ordinance.