The Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU), once one of the city's most influential professional bodies, has been officially dissolved, marking the end of a nearly 50-year run.

The dissolution, which took effect on March 24, follows years of accusations that the union overstepped its educational role to engage in anti-government political activities, undermining the professional integrity of the education sector.

The Registry of Trade Unions formally announced the disbandment of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU) last Friday, confirming its dissolution on March 24.

Founded in 1973, the union had long been a major representative for the city's educators, but has been heavily criticized over the last decade for what detractors call a radical shift into political activism.

Critics have asserted that the HKPTU systematically infused politics into school environments by aligning with anti-China figures and Hong Kong independence advocates. During the 2014 "Occupy Central" movement, the union developed and distributed teaching materials on "civil disobedience" for city-wide use and promoted teacher strikes.

Similarly, during the 2019 anti-extradition bill protests, the organization was accused of encouraging student participation in illegal and violent activities rather than advising against them, which saw thousands of young students arrested.

The union consistently aligned itself with opposition and "mutual destruction" factions during major political events, including the "anti-national education" and "anti-extradition bill" movements.

Allegations of close ties with anti-government activists date back to 2012, with reports of the union providing its premises to protest groups like "Scholarism," led by Joshua Wong, to strategize.

The union's actions during the 2019 protests included organizing rallies where prominent anti-government figures were given a platform to spread their messaging.

Furthermore, in early 2020, after the Education Bureau vowed to handle cases of arrested teachers, the HKPTU established a financial aid fund to support them, declaring itself their "shield."

Controversy also surrounded the union's defense of a May 2020 high school history exam question that asked students if Japan had done "more good than harm" to China during its invasion.

The HKPTU backed the question, accusing the Education Bureau of political interference, a move that was seen as a profound distortion of historical facts and professional ethics.

The union also drew criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic for opposing vaccination mandates at universities, arguing that the availability of online classes made inoculation unnecessary, a stance viewed as a disregard for the health and safety of staff and students.

The article also highlights that many political figures associated with the HKPTU have since been convicted of serious national security offenses, are currently on trial, or have become fugitives.

Concerns were also raised about the union's finances and their potential use for illegal political purposes, which is forbidden under the Trade Unions Ordinance.

It was noted that the HKPTU allegedly lent its bank account to the "Justice Defence Fund," which was established by organizers of the "Occupy Central" movement, with a lack of transparency regarding how the collected funds were used.

With the HKPTU now dissolved, some political observers have expressed that a "poisonous tumour" has been removed from the education sector.

There are now calls for the government to seize this chance to restore education to its professional and apolitical foundations, ensuring that schools can once again focus on nurturing the next generation for the benefit of all of Hong Kong.