Teachers behaving badly should prompt reflection in Hong Kong

Educators have received quite a bit of unwanted attention lately. First came a Hong Kong school principal losing his temper during a study trip in Singapore over parking a coach bus. The man was caught on camera hurling abusive language at security guards in the presence of a busload of students.

That lapse of judgment was met with a stern response. The principal eventually tendered his resignation and apologised, admitting his error and trying to use it as his last lesson to his students. The school management committee said it refused to accept his resignation and fired him.

Then came the video clip of a prominent basketball coach forcing a pupil to slap himself in front of other children. Although the incident took place two years ago, the video spread like wildfire on social media. The coach, who has been suspended, also apologised on social media.

It is not surprising that both incidents sparked outrage and debate. Educators are traditionally held in high esteem, expected to set an example for young people and play an outsize role in shaping young minds. Teachers have the moral authority to influence those in their charge and are expected to do so ethically and with integrity. Shouting expletives and corporal punishment are unacceptable.

Some have spoken up in support of these teachers. Responding to the incident involving the basketball coach, lawmaker Junius Ho Kwan-yiu said he is in favour of corporal punishment to some extent. Steel needs to be “beaten” to become hard, Ho said, apparently taking a metaphor used to describe building character through hardship in the literal sense.

For many people, reaching the conclusion that the teachers’ behaviour was unacceptable is easy. Schools are supposed to be safe havens for our children. We expect educators to be gatekeepers and to actively protect children from harm.