School issues formal penalty to rude teacher who triggered Mong Kok protests
Board takes action against Alpais Lam for 'damaging school's reputation' with attack on police but asks public to give her second chance
The teacher who shouted abuse at police officers in Mong Kok and triggered a political and social frenzy will be penalised, her school board said yesterday.
And the Education Bureau has already met and issued Alpais Lam Wai-sze with an official penalty notice. The school refused to reveal the details of the penalty, citing privacy reasons, but Lam said her contract with the school would not be affected.
A primary school teacher at Pui Ling School of the Precious Blood, Lam triggered huge media interest when a video of her swearing at police officers over their handling of a dispute between Falun Gong and the pro-Beijing group Youth Care Association was circulated online.
"As Lam's inappropriate behaviour severely damaged the professional image of teachers as well as our school's reputation, the committee decided to penalise the teacher and report it to the bureau," the school management committee said in a statement. It said the school regretted Lam's behaviour and hoped she would issue another apology.
It also called on the public to give Lam a second chance since she had already apologised to the school, students and parents and promised there would be no repeat of the incident. And it asked that the school be left alone.
"Our school has been bombarded with calls, e-mails and letters about this and our colleagues have been really busy dealing with them. It's time to stop. Please let our school get back to its normal operation," it said.
