Classroom conflict

A student at IVE Chai Wan lost his temper during class on Monday. He hit a teacher and a security guard, and fought with police.

The incident took place around 11am in the school's science laboratory. The science teacher asked students to form groups to perform an experiment and the student in question was left alone.

When the teacher asked him why he had not joined a group, he said: 'I've had enough from you!' Then he lost control, picked up a stool and threw it at the teacher. The teacher ducked and raced out of the room, the student followed and punched him in the mouth. A security guard who arrived later to try to separate the two was also injured.

After a policeman arrived, the student, 19, resisted arrest, spat at the officer and fought him.

The school authorities were aware the student involved had some emotional and psychological problems and said staff had been asked to pay him extra attention.

Cecilia Ng Kam-kuen, unit-in-charge at the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups' Youth Counselling Centre, said she would recommend the student seek professional help. 'He should see a therapist to learn to control his emotions,' she said.

She said medical professionals, parents, classmates and school authorities needed to show more understanding when students were going through hard times and communicate better to prevent such episodes occurring again.