TNAG-0798-FCO40-1002-Dispute-over-closure-of-Precious-Blood-Golden-Jubilee-Second-1978 — Page 154

P 3

5. The 2nd sit-in and immediate causes of it

1/5/78 (Monday)

3/5/78 (Wednesday)

4/5/78 (Thursday)

3/3/78 (Pridey)

(Sunday)

J

(Monday)

9/5/78

Tuesday)

11/5/78 (Thursday)

12/5/78 (Friday)

4 student representatives was suspended for 2 weeks and 3 othere were warned for alleged "infringement of personal freedom" of the principal. (Appendix 9)

D.

Some students alleged that they were assulted by non-academic staff members of the school when they tried to enter the school for an English test in the afternoon. (Appendix 10) The Chairman of the Professional Teachers' Union Mr. Szeto Wah, was asked by parents to hely. He approached the principal, the Education Department the Unofficial Members of the Exe -outire Bud Legislative Council Office, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and che Cathe!?. Soard of Education in a bid to "ease" the situation", but without sucess. (Appendix9) Innied? Da kui è "reprimand" from the Education De, Rorbuent for leaving his duties as a principle and was absent from the school" when he was meet

my with the ove mentioned people. (Appendix 11)

Pengkor and students and parents called a press conference; to voice their discontent with the school audige tv, (Appendix 9)

The Education Department promptly issued a state -ment saying that the Department has complete confidence in the Principal and fully supports her action in maintaining good order and discip -line in the school.

440students, 18 teachers and 20 parents petitioned the Governor asking him to be concerned about the problems in the school. Then they went to the Bishop's House and requested to see the Bishop. The bishop did not see them. 16 teachers, 6 par -ents and several students slept outside the Bishop's House for 3 days and 2 nights demanding an interview. About 300 students joined them daily in the sit-in. (Appendix 12)

4 representatives were finally appointed by the Bishop to only listen to students, parents, and teachers representatives. (Appendix 15)

All students and teachers returned to school and there was no sit-in on Saturday and Sunday. (Appendix 13)

6. The closure of the school

14/5/78 (Sunday)

At 5:00 p.m. news, the Education Department announ -oed that it has ordered the closure of the school "in the interest of the proper conduct of educat -ion generally in Hong Kong. It also announced that a "new" school will be set up in the coming September in the same building with the same Superisor and the same principal. The 16 teachers who to put in the sit-in will not be able to coutire Byte contract and all students will be

}.

.../ P4