Crowdfunding push for teachers facing protest fallout

The city's biggest teachers' union has started crowdfunding to help members who are facing suspension for their involvement in anti-government protests.

The Professional Teachers' Union launched the "Legal and Emergency Fund for Teachers," aiming to raise millions yesterday.

The union, which has more than 80,000 members, will provide emergency financial support and legal aid to members who have been arrested, been complained about or sued due to their participation in public events or for expressing their views.

The fund will go toward helping teachers meet costs arising from court proceedings as well as with living expenses for those who have lost their jobs.

PTU president Fung Wai-wah said that teachers are facing unprecedented suppression, with complaints made against more than 100 due to their political stance.

"We want teachers who are facing those complaints to know that we always have their back," said vice president Ip Kin-yuen, the legislator representing the sector.

A management committee will manage the fund while an executive committee, whose members are elected by members every two years, will issue approvals.

The union will also contribute.

The push comes less than a month after voluntary group Spark Alliance had its bank account frozen and members arrested for alleged money laundering.

Fung said the union has experience in handling such crowdfunding activities.

He said professionals will assist the union in auditing and legal matters, adding the union would be very careful so that the government could not challenge them.

That came as Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said moral values displayed by teachers in the private domain is also part of their professional conduct.

"The code for the education profession of Hong Kong and the Education Ordinance are not only applicable within schools," Yeung told lawmakers.

"As for teachers under arrest but not charged with any offences, schools should examine carefully the nature and seriousness of the cases involved and consider whether it is appropriate to allow them to continue to take up their teaching or other duties in schools," he said.

Ip slammed Yeung for stretching such standards too far.