accompanied by some parents went back to school. However, the Principal still refused to admit the suspended students despite the intervention of nine priests and the teachers. Nevertheless, normal classes were actually held on Saturday May 13th, an art class for Form Four students - most of whom had taken part in sit-ins earlier in the week - which lasted from 9am till noon. It had also been made known to the press that classes would be resumed on Monday May 15th.
Shockingly, the acting Director of Education, Mr. Colvyn Haye ordered the closure of the School on Saturday May 14th and what followed was a series of smear campaigns against the teachers by Mr. Haye.
A Joint Committee of the Parents, Teachers and Students for the Re-opening of the School was immediately formed after the closure. On May 15th the parents, teachers and students petitioned the Governor for the re-opening of the School and thorough investigation into the School.
On May 16th the Executive Council unanimously endorsed the decision of the Education Department to close down the School and a three man committee was established to "recommend measures aimed at preventing a recurrence of the problem besetting the Precious Blood Golden Jubilee School"
the closure.
On May 17th the Bishop issued a statement giving full support to
On May 18th and 19th the parents, teachers and students handed their letters of protest to the Bishop and the Education Department.
While the students are given tutorials by the university students in the Students' Union premises, the teachers and parents have been trying to contact different societies, bodies and people from all walks of life to explain to them What has actually happened. Petitioned letters have been handed to the Governor and Bishop by various societies and bodies demanding the immediate re-opening of the School.
On May 28th about 10,000 people, many of whom were representatives of various organisations, attended the mass rally in Victoria Park to protest against che closure of the school. The organisers of the rally had started "A dollar a head" fund raising drive and a signature campaign which had already gone underway despite Much thwart from the Government.
On June 10th, the Dragon Boat Festival, the parents, teachers, students and various organisations, educational• bodies, workers associations, religious bodies etc. petitioned once more to the Governor and the Bishop for the re-opening of the School.
On June 16th the Bishop sent three representatives to listen to the representatives of the parents, teachers and students and on June 21st the Bishop sent a written reply to the representatives saying that the closure was a decision
a de by the Education Department and he could do nothing about the re-opening of the School. Meanwhile, the teachers have already had three meetings with the three man committee but the terms of reference of the committee is limited to the "Prevention of the recurrence of the problem" which, again, can't assist the re-opening of the school.
The closure of the School and the dismissal of the sixteen teachers 1 only the climax of a revenge on the teachers and students who have uncovered the
Dezzlement of the school funds. The high-handed measure of the Education Department :s snocked the citizens of Hong Kong and the reluctance on the part of the Government
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