'Red tape preventing schools from buying masks'

The Federation of Education Workers says masks are priced so high, procurement rules bar schools from purchasing them. Image: Shutterstock

Hong Kong’s second-largest teachers’ union warned on Thursday that many schools are facing difficulties stocking up on masks and infrared thermometers, ahead of a possible class resumption next month.



The Federation of Education Workers said while schools have received subsidies of up to HK$25,000 from the government to procure protective equipment, they are still unable to purchase masks in bulk because of red tape.



The union’s vice chairman, Tang Fei, explained that suppliers were asking for such high prices that they breach procurement regulations.



“According to the Education Bureau’s [procurement] procedures, most of the school authorities cannot purchase face masks [at such high prices]”, he said. “This is a real difficulty.”



The federation said it will give away around 150,000 masks it has purchased to local schools and teachers, to try to alleviate the shortage.



Local schools have been closed since before the Lunar New Year break due to the coronavirus epidemic, and education authorities say the earliest classes can resume is April 20.



However, some Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) exams will be held as scheduled.