Lifetime ban a possibility for at least one more Hong Kong teacher, education chief says
- Kevin Yeung, who noted about 40 complaint cases are now being processed, also says he is actively examining alternative punishments for misconduct
- Secretary for education separately dismissed fears that revamp of liberal studies course will see it turned into a national education programme
Another Hong Kong teacher was facing the possibility of disqualification after being named in a potentially serious complaint, the education minister said on Saturday, as he renewed his pledge to consider less severe options for penalising educators guilty of misconduct.
Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung told a local radio programme his bureau was handling about 40 complaint cases related to teachers after conducting an initial review of some 200 – 70 to 80 of which were found to be invalid.
He said in the case of valid complaints, authorities would give teachers the time and opportunity necessary to defend themselves, noting some had sought help from legal representatives in making their replies.
When the host asked Yeung how many teachers the Education Bureau was seriously considering deregistering, he said: “My colleagues told me that perhaps there is one case that may appear to be quite serious and we are requesting a defence on that case.”
He added he did not have the details of the complaint.