Opposition to relocation of job training centre for disabled teenagers in Hong Kong snowballs as 800 join protest against plan
- Shine Skills Centre set to make way for civil service college under scheme announced by city leader Carrie Lam last month
- Kowloon site identified for a new vocational training centre providing more admission spaces
Opposition to a government plan to relocate a job training centre for disabled teenagers to make way for a civil service college snowballed on Sunday as about 800 students, parents and concerned residents surrounded the building in Kwun Tong in a show of solidarity against the scheme.
While officials insist the plan will not affect current students, legislators and parents are worried the move shows the government is becoming less supportive of young people with special needs.
A parent surnamed Man said: “Ordinary children and their parents have a lot of primary and secondary schools, as well as universities, to choose from. But that’s not the case for my kid and other children from special schools.
“Lam, as our chief executive, should be more understanding of these children and parents. It’s already very hard for parents like us.”