15B.
25
CLOSURE OF PRECIOUS BLOOD GOLDEN JUBILEE MIDDLE SCHOOL....ADD 1 & LAST
"There is no evidence whatsoever that the teachers and students in defiance of school authority mean to abandon their campaign of intimidation at the school," Mr. Haye said. "This has been noted by close observers con- firmed by Press reports of teachers' statement and by their most recent actions."
Mr. Haye emphasised that the facts were clear. Students had been encouraged by a group of teachers to defy school authority. Physical in- timidation and abuse of the Principal and her Deputy and led to the super- vision and warning of ring leaders. Teachers had then led students in marches and demonstrations demanding the withdrawal of suspensions and warnings and the dismissal of the Principal. Teachers and students declared that they had not dropped demand by immediate confrontation of the school authorities.
Moreover, Mr. Haye added, Senior Inspectors of Schools who had been at Precious Blood had confirmed that most of the girls of Middle 2 to 4 classes who had returned to the school earlier in the week at the insist- ence of their parents, had refused instruction. They were defiant, hostile and abusive despite the ministration of the teachers who had stuck to their posts. These poor teachers, Mr. Haye said, were at the end of their tether, and physically and emotionally exhausted by the strain of disturbances at the school. Most of them doubted their ability to face the trouble they were certain would come with the return of teachers and students who had so openly demonstrated their contempt of school authority.
"Things have been bad at the school," Mr. Haye said. "They have got worse, and they will not get better. The arena of conflict has been the school. It moved to Caritas House last week, and now it has returned to the school. I cannot let this sorry and dangerous state of affair continue.
Teachers and students had raised a number of pretexts for their re- jection of school authority, Mr. Haye commended. Last year it had been the mismanagement of school funds, despite the prompt action taken by the school managers to report to the Education Department, the thorough investigation which had commenced before teachers lodged official complaints, the sub- sequent punishment of a previous Principal and regularization of the school books. Then it had been teaching contracts which had led to sit-ins despite the fact that the teachers had accepted those contracts. More recently it had been allegations of the searching of school bags, allegations of unfair letters of warning and suspension, and, finally, allegations of unfair letters of warning and suspension, and, finally, allegations of assault. With the exception of the latter, which was in the hands of Police, Mr. Haye said, careful study of the facts confirmed that the claims were pretext for anarchy. Under the circumstances, he felt, there was no sensible alternative to closure of the school.
The Acting Director of Education said that throughout the escalation of trouble by teachers and students, he had been in close touch with the School Supervisor and managers. At emergency meetings on Friday and Saturday (May 12 to 13) there had been unanimous support of the proposal and final decision to close the school.
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong had been kept informed of developments and consulted before the decision which he now endorsed.
"When the school reopens on September 1, 1978, it will be to a fresh start under a new name." Mr. Haye concluded.
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