Leo Tung-hai Lee Primary School in Tin Shui Wai, where the deceased teacher taught. Photo: Handout
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https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education/article/2189325/education-bureau-will-take-part-investigation-hong-kong Education
Education Bureau will take part in investigation into Hong Kong teacher’s death, says minister
- Kevin Yeung said a special task force would try to establish if school management needs to be improved after death of teacher in Tin Shui Wai on Wednesday
- Teachers have complained in recent years of increased pressure due to a rise in teaching evaluations
Secretary for Education, Kevin Yeung said his department would be part of an investigation into the death of a teacher on Wednesday. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Hong Kong’s education minister said his bureau will be part of a task force formed to look into the death of a 48-year-old teacher who fell from the sixth floor of a school building.
The panel will investigate whether there is a need to improve school management, said Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung on Saturday, who expressed his regrets about the death of the female teacher, surnamed Lam.
She died on Wednesday at the school where she taught Chinese, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Leo Tung-hai Lee Primary School, in Tin Shui Wai.
Following Lam’s death, there were reports in local media that the teacher was under pressure, and had been made to work while unwell shortly before her death.
Yeung said he was aware of the reports, but added that the cause of the incident would only be certain after the investigation is complete.
“The school will set up a committee to establish if there were any particular reasons for the incident, and whether improvements should be made in terms of [school] administration,” Yeung said on Saturday.
Education sector lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen said he would keep an eye on the task force’s work and urged the bureau to listen to a wide range of opinions.
“In the long run, there needs to be a systematic approach to prevent such incidents,” Ip said.
The Post has learned that Ip received complaints that corroborated the reports of a stressful working environment at the school, but the lawmaker said it was too early to disclose the content.
Professional Teachers’ Union president Fung Wai-wah said the bureau must monitor the task force closely, to ensure the investigation is substantial.
He also said members had got in touch with the union, but there were not many complaints about the school.
Education sector lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen said he would keep an eye on the task force’s work and urged the bureau to listen to a wide range of opinions. Photo: Felix Wong
A veteran educator also complained about the increased pressure on teachers due to more work evaluations such as classroom observation or grading reviews.
Patrick Yu, a primary schoolteacher of more than 20 years’ experience, felt his school was rigid on its evaluations, which affected appraisals, without considering other factors such as teachers’ care and concern for pupils.
He also noted the increased workload in recent years, such as more homework to be marked as well as having more special-needs pupils who require more attention through liaising with nurses and social workers.
“Society tends to think of teachers as being able to handle their work very easily as we counsel children, but we also need help sometimes,” Yu said.
Graduate student Gerald Ho was expelled from Polytechnic University after clashing with school officials over the use of a bulletin board on campus. Photo: Nora Tam
Yeung also spoke for the first time about the recent expulsion of postgraduate student Gerald Ho Jun-him from Polytechnic University, saying the institution’s decision should be respected, though he described it as “controversial”.
“The university has its powers and duties to educate and handle the students,” Yeung said.
“We must respect the university’s decision, which was made … after thorough consideration.”
Ho and three other students were punished for clashing with school officials over the use of a bulletin board known as the “democracy wall” on campus.
One other student was suspended, while two others were ordered to do community service.
Additional reporting by Peace Chiu