26th July 2021 – (Hong Kong) Wu Chiu Ha, the principal of Tai Tung Sun Chuen Saint Teresa Kindergarten who is the sister of a retired judge, Woo Kwok-hing was accused earlier of abusing power by a person who claimed to be a staff member. It was recently revealed that a female student with special learning needs took off her clothes and underwear due to emotional loss of control. The principal did not provide immediate assistance and instead asked the teacher to take naked photos of the child with a mobile phone as evidence to prove that the child was out of control if a parent complains about the incident. Wu did not want to respond to the incident. She reiterated that the school had been discredited many times since the end of last year, and that there was evidence to prove that the person who held the press conference in a mask was not a teacher of her school. She also pointed out that only one teacher did not renew his contract this year, and believed that the above news may be related to that teacher. She also emphasised that what she did do anything in violation of the law.
In March 2021, a group of self-proclaimed kindergarten outgoing and current teaching staff convened a press conference with district councillors and accused the principal of the kindergarten for abuse of power. The principal asked 3 teaching staff to paint wall murals at her home during working hours. The staff also claimed that Wu was suspected of child abuse and amended meeting records.
The Education Bureau replied that after learning of the incident, it has immediately followed up, including contacting the school supervisor, sending staff to the school to investigate, interviewing the principal and relevant staff, and consulting relevant government departments. As the allegations involve the well-being of students, the bureau will deal with them seriously. As for the complaint in March, the bureau has met with relevant parties, conducted school visits, and collected information, and is following up based on the findings of the current investigation. The authorities reiterated that every complaint involving teachers’ misconduct will be prudent, and will be carried out in accordance with the Education Ordinance and from the perspective of the education profession, the facts and circumstances of each case will be fully considered to determine the actions to be taken, including if a letter of reprimand, warning, or exhortation is issued, the registration of the teacher can be cancelled or refused if the situation is serious.