Boycott classes deplored by government and HK community

The call to boycott classes in Hong Kong has met strong criticism and objections on the first day of a new semester from the government and the society, with some schools responded with a firm and loud action to kick off their new semester.

At an inter-departmental press conference held on Monday noon, Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said that schools are places for studies and should never be disturbed by political wrangles.

He deplored any actions of involving underage students into political vortex, whether by instilling political views to them, or instigating, even coercing them to participate in the strikes. "Such actions would definitely do no good to the next generation," Cheung said.

The call to boycott classes came amid a months-long political turmoil that began in June 9. The summer saw violence and vandalism by masked black-clad radicals descended many areas of the city.

Attending an opening ceremony of a local primary school at Monday morning, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung urged local organizations not to disturb or incite students in any form.

He noted the recent situation is worrying as there are still numerous irresponsible remarks on the internet encouraging school bullying. The Education Bureau will remind schools to closely monitor possible cases, Yeung said.

In a statement on Monday, the Chinese University of Hong Kong asked its student union, one of the organizers of a planned class-boycott rally at the university campus on Monday, to call off the event on security grounds.

Local group Safeguard HK, in an advertisement on local newspapers, appealed to school authorities to enhance management in the new semester to avoid any school bullying.

But ahead of the first day of a new semester, Tse Chun-chung, chief superintendent of police public relations branch, became one of the more than 1,600 police officers who endured online bullying and hatred against police after all his personal information, including names of his children and the schools they are in, was leaked online.

Threats against Tse, who is responsible for holding the daily press conference of police, include menacing that his children will be the first to suffer for the new semester.

In Tung Chung, New Territories, students from two schools on Monday responded the boycott with singing the national anthem and holding a national-flag-raising ceremony to mark their new semester.

At the HKFEW Wong Cho Bau Secondary School in Tung Chung, more than 500 teenagers, teachers and staffs attended the ceremony on the first day of a new school year.

In addressing the ceremony, Hui Chun-lung, principal of school objected the boycott and said study is the top priority for teenagers.

Only equipped with rich knowledge, can the young people make contribution to the society, the nation, as well as the world, Hui said.

Attending the ceremony, a Form-four student surnamed Yu said she will focus on her study and don't want to be affected by social disputes and other people's views.

According to the principal, this year, the school will make propriety education one of its focuses, in a bid to allow students make appropriate decisions and actions in appropriate places by respecting teachers, families and other people.

At the same time, national flag was raised at the HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School, where about 800 pupils and teachers attended the ceremony, on the first day of a new semester.

"It is the school's responsibility to teach our kids about national identity," said Wong Kam-leung, principal of the school, who is also the chairman of Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers. The school incorporated that national education in its courses and noted that now maybe the right time to teach the students the concept of motherland amid the protracted social unrest, Wong added.