TNAG-0797-FCO40-1001-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-1978 — Page 37

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GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASE: EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VOWS

FULL SUPPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL OF PBGJSS

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(8, MAY, 78 )

Attention News Editors :

In response to press enquiries, the Education Department confirmed today that the principal of the Precious Blood Golden Jubilee Secondary School has kept the Director of Education fully informed about the re- cent events at the school.

"The Department has complete confidence in the Principal and fully

supports her action in maintaining good order and discipline in the school," spokesman for the Department said.

With particular reference to the suspension and warning of certain pupils and subsequent disturbances at the school, the spokesman said that the use of the manner in which they had menaced the principal and her deputy were very serious matters. * It is the duty of every principal to enforce school discipline and to insist on elementary rules of courtesy and respect,* he added.

He stressed that the director of Education had absolute confidence in the judgement of the principal, Miss Hilda Kwan, and that the Department would interfere.

The Director reiterated his general concern and determination not to tolerate the dis-ruption of good order and discipline in schools. He called on parents to exercise their influence on their children to behave in anorderly and appropiate manner. Breaches of school dis- cipline could lead to serious consequences to pupils and necessary disruption of their study.

Time: 1645 Hours / May 8, 1978 / HYT

PRESS RELEASE

Information & Public Relation Sect. Education Department.

14th May, 1978.

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CLOSURE OF PRECIOUS BLOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Action Director of Education, Mr. Colvyn Haye, has decided to close the Precious Blood Golden Jubilee Middle School until August 31, 1978. Formal notice to this effect was served on the Supervisor, the Rev. Sister Lorraine Turcotte, at 4 p.m. today.

"It is with regret that, after the most careful consideration, I have reached this decision," Mr. Hage said. "But I am entirely satisfied that my decision is in the interest of the proper conduct of education generally in Hong Kong, and in the long-term interest of the pupils of the school --- both those whose misguided behaviour under irresponsible adult influences has contributed to my decision, and those who have only wanted to pursue their school life in a normal way and who therefore have sadly been the victims of the gross misconduct of others," he added.

Mr. Haye said that he and his senior staff had made a close study of the recent developments at the school and in particular, the events of the last few days which had called for inspectors' visits. This study, hourly reports from the school and first hand abservation by Senior Inspectors had convinced him that the massive disruption of studies at Precious Blood Golden Jubilee Middle School would continue. The adamant refusal of a number of militant teachers, who had been leading the demonstrations of hundreds of misguided students, to accept the authority of the school made it impossible for the school to continue as it should for the little that was left of the academic year. The teachers and students had proved this by absenting themselves from the school during the week to parade and demonstrate, and, on their return to the school on Friday, May 12, by further demonstrations on the school premises.