Govt issues to-do, not-to-do lists for teachers
The Education Bureau on Thursday published a set of guidelines on teachers' conduct, listing things teachers should do and things they should not do. Apart from fulfilling their teaching responsibilities, the bureau said teachers should protect national security, social order and public interest. The guidelines specify that teachers should promote national education with a correct understanding of the constitution, Basic Law, and National Security Law. Teachers should not condone any potentially illegal behaviour on campus, and should make a report to the school management and the police. For the not-to-do list, the bureau's guidelines say teachers should not incite students to break the law or choose teaching materials with a view to instil biased views in students. The Education Bureau said it came up with the guidelines after considering the circumstances of the local education system as well as standards in other countries. It said the guidelines will be a tool for schools and the bureau to follow up on instances of misconduct among teachers. Teachers could be struck off by the bureau for life for severe misconduct, while those who have committed less serious misconduct could be de-registered for a certain period of time. The document comes with a list of teachers who were punished for different kinds of misconduct. For example, a liberal studies teacher was struck off for consistently using biased materials that spread hatred and included derogatory remarks about China.  Another teacher got a reprimand letter after vulgar and insulting messages they posted on their social media account, which were meant to be seen by their friends only, were circulated among students and teachers.