Protest march against school closure plan

Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union will stage a protest march on Saturday against a plan to close secondary schools unable to enroll at least 67 students.

The group will march from Charter Garden to the SAR government headquarters to submit a petition.

The union has called on the Education Bureau to stop closing schools to maintain a stable 3-3-4 higher education system, promote small-class teaching and allow band three schools to open practical courses for tertiary education.

Union president and lawmaker Cheung Man-kwong said the bureau should stop closing the schools, especially band threes, to prevent chaos in the education sector.

"Although the Education Bureau said they will cut down only five schools, the act will destabilize the whole sector," said Cheung, who wants further discussions to be held.

There were 6,000 zero-mark candidates in this year's Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination out of 26,000 students in band three schools.

According to Cheung, the schools have a special function to education fewer capable students and closing them would only deny children a chance of more suitable education.

James Hon Lin-shan, the union's deputy director, said band three students need extra care when it comes to learning and discipline.

Cheung said teachers may escalate their action, including a strike, if the government refuses to heed their call.

Asked if the action will damage the image of teachers, Cheung said they are confident their actions will be supported by parents.

Beatrice Siu
The Standard, 11 September 2008