Parents, teachers decry 'ballot' on boycotting classes

Hong Kong parents and teachers objected on Thursday to a "referendum", planned by a student group and labor unions, on whether to boycott classes over the proposed national security law.

They are concerned that the city's students are falling victim to a comeback of campus politics incited for political purposes.

The online ballot will take place on Sunday. Organizers say that they will press ahead with school boycotts and a strike if more than 10,000 secondary students, or 60 percent of the city's total, vote for this move.

A woman surnamed Tsui, the mother of two school-age boys, said the call for a class boycott along with other politically driven events that have repeatedly "invaded" the school campus has affected her children's studies and those of other students who want to learn on a peaceful campus.

"Hong Kong society had been chaotic for quite a while, and that was followed by the coronavirus pandemic. It does no good to anyone if the chaos continues," said Tsui, who hopes her sons can catch up with their unfinished studies during the rest of the turbulent school year.

"People should by no means incite immature teenagers to take part in radical activities, although they may have different views on the government's handling of social issues," she added.

A woman surnamed Lee, the mother of a 15-year-old girl, is equally worried about her daughter's academic performance after months of suspended classes, citing a possible return of political disputes that may disrupt campuses again.

"I believe my girl won't participate in the vote. But peer influence cannot be ignored. The education authorities can step in further to help schools deal with similar issues," she said.

Wong Kam-leung, chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, described the "referendum" as a "shameless tactic" of some groups to manipulate students for political gain.

He urged students to cherish the opportunities to learn in the classrooms after months of campus shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on a radio program on Tuesday, Tang Fei, principal of Heung To Secondary School in Tseung Kwan O, said the school authority will unlikely approve students' partaking in class boycotts, and even if parents submit personal-leave applications for that purpose, the school may not approve them.

Tang said the school will follow instructions from the Education Bureau, which has taken a harder line against campus politics this time by giving clearer guidelines to schools.

A day earlier, Education Secretary Kevin Yeung Yun-hung sent all primary and secondary school principals a letter that requires them to stop and even discipline students who are involved in political class boycotts.

Such actions that instigate students into political events will deprive them of peaceful campuses and undermine the learning process, Yeung said.

Since last year, many pupils have staged small-scale protests around campuses against a now-withdrawn extradition bill, including chanting anti-government slogans and forming human chains.

As the coronavirus pandemic has gradually come under control in Hong Kong, schools have resumed classes in phases since May 27, with senior students returning to campuses first.