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In response to the call by the Professional Teachers' Union for teachers to launch a class and teaching boycott, the Education Bureau today (September 29) issued the following statement:
The Education Bureau (EDB) expressed its deepest regret over the Professional Teachers' Union's initiation of a class and teaching boycott by teachers.
The EDB reiterated that it has all along respected all teachers, including organising the Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence and the Respect Our Teachers Campaign each year in appreciation of the contributions of teachers and the teaching profession.
In the face of the current social situation, the EDB sincerely called on all teachers to uphold professionalism in their own position and make every effort to take care of students so that their normal schooling can be free from any interference.
The Hong Kong Subsidised Secondary Schools Council, the Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools, various school sponsoring bodies and the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers have issued statements earlier. On the whole, they do not support class boycotts by secondary school students, and took the view that the educational and professional autonomy of schools must be protected, and all external political influence and pressure must be kept away from the school campus. They have appealed to all teachers to uphold professionalism in their own position.
Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations in various districts also issued a joint statement against any strike by teachers and class boycott by students.
Ends/Monday, September 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 10:43
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