Deregistered teacher planned discussions on "HK independence” and a banned party: Education Bureau

The Education Bureau said a teacher at Alliance Primary School, Kowloon Tong was deregistered for planned dissemination of information on Hong Kong independence during lessons with distorted teaching materials.

Deputy Secretary for Education Chan Siu Suk-fan said the teacher made a lesson plan for other teachers, as well as prepared teaching materials and worksheets. 

The lesson plan allocated 50 minutes for discussion of Hong Kong independence, during which the Societies Ordinance was discussed and the Hong Kong National Party, an illegal organization declared by authorities, was introduced to students.

Siu also pointed out that the lesson plan suggested students should raise their hands if they support independence – which she found unacceptable. 

Another 35 minutes was budgeted for discussion of other independence movements in China, including those in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Taiwan. 

Siu also quoted the worksheet prepared by the teacher saying it involved distorted and biased information.

“The worksheet said if students were divided into groups during a school tour, they would also fall under the regulation of the Societies Ordinance and might risk themselves as unlawful societies. Such information is totally false,” she said. 

Permanent Secretary for Education Michelle Li said after the teacher got his registration canceled, he won't be able to teach for the rest of his life. 

Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said Education Bureau told teachers since 2016 the topic of “Hong Kong independence” is not fit for open discussion inside campuses as it is against the Basic Law.

He mentioned that the only scenario for this topic to be discussed is to talk about “Hong Kong independence is not feasible”, allowing students to know that Hong Kong is an inseparable part of China.