(Hong Kong/Singapore, 7th) Lee Cheuk-hing, principal of Tuen Mun San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Hong Kong, led a group on an exchange visit to Singapore last month and verbally abused a security guard. He was dismissed by the school and said he was "very surprised and regretted" the school's decision.
According to Hong Kong media reports, Lee Cheuk-hing issued a statement on Saturday (June 6), stating that on the day of the incident, the exchange group was taking a local tour bus in Singapore. The security guard "loudly admonished" them in English, and due to language barriers, a dispute occurred between both parties.
He continued that his original intention that day was "solely to protect the safety of the accompanying underage students, hoping to quickly calm the disturbance, and avoid teachers and students being stranded in a conflict at an unfamiliar overseas site." However, he understood that "no objective factors or well-intentioned motives can justify a teacher or educator losing control of their emotions or behaving inappropriately." In the statement, he apologized again to all parties and said he would take this as a lifelong lesson.
Lee Cheuk-hing also stated that he was well aware that his inappropriate conduct had brought great public pressure and governance challenges to the school. "To safeguard the overall interests of the school, protect its reputation, and allow the school to quickly return to normal and transition smoothly," he had "proactively and responsibly" submitted his resignation to the Incorporated Management Committee last month, and, in accordance with his employment contract, provided sufficient notice to allow ample time for handover and to ease the feelings of students and parents, striving to minimize the incident's impact on daily teaching operations.
Lee Cheuk-hing also stated that he was well aware that his inappropriate conduct had brought great public pressure and governance challenges to the school. "To safeguard the overall interests of the school, protect its reputation, and allow the school to quickly return to normal and transition smoothly," he had "proactively and responsibly" submitted his resignation to the Incorporated Management Committee last month, and, in accordance with his employment contract, provided sufficient notice to allow ample time for handover and to ease the feelings of students and parents, striving to minimize the incident's impact on daily teaching operations.
Regarding the school's decision to dismiss him immediately, Lee Cheuk-hing stated that he respected the Incorporated Management Committee's decision, but "felt very surprised and regretted it," and said he had instructed legal representatives to clarify matters related to his employment contract and rights through legal procedures.
According to previous Hong Kong media reports, Tuen Mun San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School visited Singapore for an exchange from May 20 to 24. Lee Cheuk-hing, the head of the delegation, got into a dispute with a security guard over a tour bus parking issue, then cursed and verbally abused the guard, which sparked a public outcry. On June 3, the school’s Incorporated Management Committee stated it would not accept Lee Cheuk-hing’s resignation and had terminated him immediately.
According to previous Hong Kong media reports, Tuen Mun San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School visited Singapore for an exchange from May 20 to 24. Lee Cheuk-hing, the head of the delegation, got into a dispute with a security guard over a tour bus parking issue, then cursed and verbally abused the guard, which sparked a public outcry. On June 3, the school’s Incorporated Management Committee stated it would not accept Lee Cheuk-hing’s resignation and had terminated him immediately.