'Schools should explain if complaints not probed'

'Schools should explain if complaints not probed'

Education Secretary Kevin Yeung said on Friday that schools must provide a reason if they don't investigate complaints against teachers who are accused of being "unprofessional" over their activities linked to the ongoing anti-government protests.



The government had said complaints against teachers ranged from using inappropriate teaching materials to making hate-inciting or discriminatory remarks online.



The minister said authorities are not asking principals to cooperate with the government's stance, but just to asking to investigate the complaints based on facts.



Yeung said schools have been cooperative so far and no principals are being investigated or have been punished.



The minister also added that two government school teachers have been transferred to work in the Education Bureau, as they are being investigated following complaints. They were accused of making making inappropriate remarks online.



He again reiterated that principals may be stripped of their positions and teachers' qualifications if they fail to discharge their duties in not cooperating with requested investigations.



But a major union of teachers, Professionals Teacher Union (PTU), has accused the government of spreading "white terror" by putting pressure on principals to discipline teachers who don't toe the government line.



Yeung in turn accused the PTU of ignoring facts and making up stories about "white terror" in the teaching profession. He hoped teachers won't be 'misled' by the union's stance.



A strong-worded statement from the bureau on Thursday night said it was the PTU that is "white terror" among teachers, not the education authorities.



The union has called for a rally at Edinburgh Place on Friday night against what it says is suppression of teachers over their views on the ongoing protests.