Children still in need of greater protection in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong case of boy who suffered detached retina after allegedly being slapped by his teacher shows much remains to be done
The news of a boy who underwent six hours of eye surgery after he was allegedly slapped by his Muslim teacher for failing to recite a Koran verse has been met with shock, anger and compassion. The case, which is unacceptable and requires serious handling, has prompted a rethink on the use of corporal punishment in children’s upbringing, a practice which is still found in some societies.
The 13-year-old, who was said to have been slapped across the face several times by a teacher at an Islamic learning centre last week, later felt his “left eye had something flying around in it”. A specialist confirmed the teenager had suffered a detached retina. The boy was said to be in a stable condition following an operation at the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan on Wednesday. Another operation has been scheduled in six months’ time.
The family reported the alleged incident to police, and a 35-year-old man has been arrested for wounding. The Hospital Authority referred the case to a medical social worker for follow-up and the Social Welfare Department said it would hold a case conference to assess the needs of the boy.
The Muslim Council of Hong Kong has also responded and pledged a raft of follow-up measures. In a social media post, the council said the community at large would “learn from this case and make a firm stance against child abuse of any kind”.
Measures include installing surveillance cameras and introducing a code of conduct to prevent abuse in religious classes. Teachers will undergo training and meetings on such matters and have to acknowledge and follow the code. The religious body also urged parents to report any such incidents, while children or students were asked to speak up if they witnessed or experienced abuse.
Hong Kong is currently strengthening safeguards in the wake of a series of child abuse cases. There has been no shortage of studies showing corporal punishment is harmful to child development. Despite growing awareness and vigilance, some still find physical punishment acceptable. The latest case is another sorry reminder that protection against such abuse is still far from adequate.
