TNAG-0799-FCO40-1003-Dispute-over-closure-of-Precious-Blood-Golden-Jubilee-Second-1978 — Page 242

Part VII

Conclusion

The main cause of the Precious Blood affair was embezzlement.

The series of revengeful measures ended in the high-handed action

of the Education Department the closure of the school. However,

contrary to the expectations of certain officials, the move

brought much criticism from the general public and more people

began to know the truth. If the problems are to be solved, the

Education Department and the school management should forsake all

their preconception, prejudice and hostile attitude, and then make

appropriate indemnifications.

Concerning the financial problems, it is a shock to find the

Order of the Precious Blood was able to squeeze about $350,000

from the parents, students, janitors, government grants etc. in

less than 4 years. It must be strongly stressed that Sister Leung

Kit-fun should not be the only one held responsible. She is only

the scapegoat of a corrupt religious body and an abnormal education

system. The joint effort of the Order and the Education Department

in conc@aling the truth will only produce harmful effects on the

development of the education in Hong Kong. The unnoticed return

of $320,000 to the account of the Precious Blood Golden Jubilee

Secondary School and the wrapping of the procedure and results of the

investigation of the financial problems clearly show the ugly

collaboration and close relationship between the two organizations

•

The revengeful actions and the tense atmosphere left the

teachers, students and parents no time to demand the report of the

investigations open to the public. The school administrators and

the Education Department were waiting for the "crisis" so that they

could get rid of the "trouble-makers"

All other proper channels of communication being blocked,

the teachers, students and parents were forced to resort to petitions,

They hoped to expose the absurd measures taken by Miss Kwan, the

principal, and demand her dismissal. In a democratic society, sit-ins

and petitions are very common.

However, the Education Department

55