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Hong Kong principal fired for swearing at security guards on Singapore school trip
🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

Hong Kong principal fired for swearing at security guards on Singapore school trip

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A Hong Kong school principal was fired for swearing at security guards during a student trip to Singapore.
  • The school management committee refused his resignation and cited his violation of the staff code of conduct.
  • The incident, captured on video, led to his immediate dismissal due to his behavior setting a poor example.

Lee Cheuk-hing, principal of East Asia San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School, has been fired after a confrontation with security guards during a student trip to Singapore. The school's management committee announced his immediate dismissal on Wednesday, stating they refused to accept his resignation, which he submitted about a week after the incident.

If he were to remain in office as principal before Aug 31, it would gravely disrupt the operation of the school and prevent the school’s teachers and students from moving forward as soon as possible.

— San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School management committeeExplaining the reason for the principal's immediate dismissal.

The committee received Lee's resignation letter on May 28, with his requested last day being August 31. However, they determined that his continued presence would "gravely disrupt the operation of the school and prevent the school’s teachers and students from moving forward as soon as possible." Consequently, they decided on his immediate dismissal and removal from all school duties.

The school confirmed that Lee's "vulgar" behavior during the exchange tour violated the professional code of conduct for teaching staff, particularly guidelines set by the Education Bureau. The committee stressed that as the head of the institution, Lee was expected to set a positive example for parents and the public.

This constitutes the immediate dismissal of Mr Lee and the removal of all his duties at the school.

— San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School management committeeAnnouncing the consequence of the principal's actions.

Edmund Wong Chun-sek, a school manager and former lawmaker, stated that this "one-off incident" would not deter qualified educators from applying for the principal position. He emphasized that the decision to fire Lee was made in the best interests and well-being of the students. The incident gained public attention after a viral video surfaced on May 22, showing Lee becoming agitated and swearing at security guards when asked to move a coach used by his students and teachers.

I believe an isolated incident will not discourage dedicated, capable and aspiring educators from applying for this principalship.

— Edmund Wong Chun-sekA school manager commenting on the impact of the incident on future hiring.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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