Hong Kong teacher kicked out of profession over distorted history lesson vows to appeal
- Educator admits his knowledge of first opium war was incomplete but insists authorities are unfairly judging his performance based on one episode
- School principal as recently as March labelled the teacher passionate and responsible
While admitting he erred when he said the 19th century war was a result of Britain wanting to “destroy opium in China”, the teacher said the content only accounted for a small proportion of the 15-minute general studies online lesson.
The teacher from Ho Lap Primary School in Tsz Wan Shan, who prefers to use the pseudonym Chan, also said his school had originally intended to renew his contract – which ended in August – and he was praised for his hard work and passion in a performance review.
“I wish to take this opportunity to apologise to my students and their parents over the mistake that I’ve made because of my relatively weak knowledge in history,” Chan said on Monday.
The incident came to light in April when a video circulating online showed his descriptions of the first opium war, fought between 1839 and 1842. He tells the Primary Two pupils the conflict was the result of “Britain’s attempt to ban opium smoking in China”.