Teacher Who Taught Hong Kong Independence and Freedom of Expression Stripped of Position
Hong Kong Teachers' Union Strongly Opposes Teacher Registration Cancellation
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] A teacher at an elementary school in Hong Kong was stripped of their teaching position after teaching about Hong Kong independence and freedom of expression during class.
In this regard, Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, emphasized at a regular briefing on the 6th, "I fully support the decision of the Education Department," and added, "The work to weed out cancerous elements in the education sector will continue."
Lam raised her voice, saying that it is not new for teachers to bring politics into schools, and while past administrations tried to avoid such sensitive issues, "today's government will confront all problems."
Lam also stated regarding posts found on university campuses violating the Hong Kong National Security Law (Security Law), "The Hong Kong Security Law requires all schools, universities, media, and social organizations including social networks to participate in strengthening education for national security."
Earlier, the Hong Kong Education Department canceled the teacher registration of an elementary school teacher who spread messages related to Hong Kong independence during class and issued warnings to the principal and vice principal of the school for supervisory negligence.
The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that this is the first case of a teacher being stripped of their position for teaching about Hong Kong independence during class.
The teacher reportedly showed a video of Chan Ho-tin, chairman of the pro-independence party Hong Kong National Party, appearing on TV and asked questions about Hong Kong independence and freedom of expression during class.
Regarding this, the Hong Kong Education Department pointed out, "Considering that teachers should prepare lesson content in advance, it is difficult to see the spreading of messages about Hong Kong independence as a mistake," and added, "The teaching materials used by the teacher were distorted and biased, causing significant harm to students."
The Hong Kong Education Department also announced that from June last year to August this year, 247 reports of illegal acts by teachers related to anti-government protests were received, and investigations into 204 of them have been completed.
As a result of the investigation, the Education Department added that 21 teachers were given warnings and 12 were sent warning letters.
The Hong Kong Teachers' Union has protested, saying that it is unusual for teacher registration to be canceled for reasons other than criminal acts.
The Hong Kong Security Law, which came into effect on June 30, punishes four crimes?secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign forces?with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
