Social News
Written by: Deng Yinglin
2020-12-28 07:30
Last update date: 2020-12-28 07:30
A graduate of the School of Education of the University of Hong Kong was hired as an assistant primary school degree teacher after graduation. However, six months after the incident, he was suddenly accused by the Education Bureau that he did not meet the requirements of a regular primary school teacher; referring to the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Sciences he had studied. Excluding the elementary school teacher training qualifications that did not meet the entry requirements, he was demanded nearly 200,000 yuan, equivalent to his full salary during his tenure.
In fact, before he was formally hired, he and the elementary school that employed him had separately inquired from the University of Hong Kong on whether the relevant courses were eligible for teaching primary schools, but they were all confirmed that their academic qualifications met the requirements.
The graduate complained that the Hong Kong University curriculum stated that it was a teacher in a middle school or elementary school that it was not true, and requested the University of Hong Kong to provide elementary school teacher training and pay compensation to the Education Bureau.
The University of Hong Kong points out that it will not directly participate in the actual recruitment process between individual graduates and their employers, reiterating that "course graduates can apply to teach in secondary or primary schools", but admits that "the course aims to provide secondary school teacher training for students."
The Education Bureau confirmed that it was handling the case of overcharging the salary allowance by the school, and reiterated that when the aided school hires teachers who are paid under the "salary allowance".
It is the responsibility to review the academic qualifications of teachers. If it is found that the school’s assessment of teachers’ salaries is incorrect, the school management will be responsible for making appropriate arrangements for teachers.
Teacher Chen (pseudonym), a graduate of the School of Education of the University of Hong Kong, complained that his Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Sciences did not include the qualifications of primary school teacher training, which is different from the statement of the University of Hong Kong that it can be a teacher in a secondary or primary school.
(Photo by Deng Yinglin)
Hired in February and questioned by the Education Bureau in May.
Teacher Chen (pseudonym) completed the five-year course of Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Sciences (JUPAS course code: 6195) of the School of Education of Hong Kong University in 2019 and graduated; until February 2020 , Was appointed by an aided primary school as an assistant primary school graduate teacher. In order to be secure, he and the principal of the primary school respectively inquired with the University of Hong Kong before the formal appointment, and the University of Hong Kong confirmed that their academic qualifications meet the entry requirements.
The Education Bureau asks for a full salary refund of close to 200,000 yuan
However, in May of this year, the Education Bureau suddenly questioned his qualifications and asked for additional certification. Chen asked for a statement from the University of Hong Kong. He received a letter from the University certifying that he had completed the relevant requirements of the course and was qualified to teach in Hong Kong’s primary and secondary schools ("is qualified to teach in primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong”); however, the Education Bureau does not accept the explanation, requesting him to return his salary for about six months of work, a total of about $198,000, on the grounds that his qualifications do not match.
Graduates serve as primary school principals: I never thought that the Hong Kong Conference would speak big words and hope that the graduates would be fair.
"Hong Kong 01" contacted the principal of the school where Chen was appointed. The principal reiterated that he had confirmed with the University of Hong Kong before the appointment. Unexpectedly, the Education Bureau refused to recognize qualifications. And she has negotiated with the Education Bureau many times, hoping that the authorities will turn Teacher Chen into a substitute teacher at their discretion, and only refund part of the salary, but she was not accepted by the Education Bureau: "When appointing the teacher, she has submitted the documents to the Education Bureau. The teacher has worked hard. Yue said that it was not up to the requirements. The University of Hong Kong replied that it would approve the teaching of primary schools. In the end, it was not. It was unfair to the graduates. Unexpectedly, the University of Hong Kong would speak big words."
The introduction to the old curriculum of the University of Hong Kong lists
the information
that can be used as a teacher of
general studies in primary schools. In the introduction to the previous curriculum of the University of Hong Kong, it is listed that graduates can become teachers of general studies, humanities or general studies ("qualifies you to be a teacher of Liberal Studies and Humanities-related subjects (eg Integrated Humanities, Geography, Life and Society, Government and Public Affairs, General Studies [primary], etc.) in Hong Kong secondary / primary schools"); according to the curriculum updated by Hong Kong University in October this year The introduction material still states that graduates can obtain teacher training qualifications to become general education or humanities teachers in primary and secondary schools, but it is stated below that this qualification will not be applicable to the establishment of teaching posts in aided primary schools from the 2019/20 school year. qualification is not applicable for a post on the approved teaching establishment in aided primary schools starting from 2019-20 school year. ".
In response, the School of Education of the University of Hong Kong stated that "The (Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Sciences) course aims to provide secondary school teacher training for students," but also stated that "graduates can apply to teach in secondary or primary schools."
(Profile picture)
HKU: The course aims to provide secondary school teacher training, but graduates can apply for teaching in secondary or primary schools
The School of Education of the University of Hong Kong replied to the "Hong Kong 01" query confirming that it has received relevant graduates seeking help, emphasizing that "course graduates can apply to teach in secondary or primary schools", but the actual situation depends on the recruitment procedures of primary and secondary schools, funding sources and the latest updates of the Education Bureau Policy; however, the University of Hong Kong’s reply did not respond positively to the fact that graduates were not able to apply for the establishment of internal teaching posts. It only stated that the school would follow the employment situation of the graduates at the time when preparing the course introduction for applicants’ reference, and the college "will not directly participate in individual graduates The actual recruitment process with the employer".
As for teacher training qualifications, the University of Hong Kong described "the course is designed to provide secondary school teacher training for students." Graduates can apply to the Teacher Registration Team of the Education Bureau to become a Registered Teacher (RT), reiterate that the school is concerned about the case and will communicate with the Education Bureau and the school.
Teacher involved: I only hope that the University of Hong Kong will provide elementary school teacher training and pay compensation to the Bureau of Education.
As the backbone of the family’s financial support, Mr. Chen bluntly said that he was deeply troubled by the incident. “I was shocked to learn that 200,000 yuan was required at first. I am troubled by the incident, insomnia, and I don’t understand why I’m responsible for doing nothing wrong. I feel cheated. My energy and mind should be spent on students and teaching. The worst plan now is to borrow 200,000 yuan."
Chen pointed out that since the launch of the course, the number of graduates each year has ranged from a few to more than a dozen. In addition, after the implementation of the full degree, it is known that he was the only one who found the primary school teaching posts in the establishment. Therefore, problems were discovered and Chen believed that he had tried his best before appointment. To verify the qualifications of the University of Hong Kong, questioning the communication error of the management of the School of Education of the University of Hong Kong, and even misleading the students.
He is grateful to the primary school principal for understanding his situation and appointing him as a contract teacher with school funding and the same salary level. He can continue to teach this school year, but he will not be able to become a teacher in the establishment if he does not hold a primary school teacher qualification. Therefore, he hopes that the University of Hong Kong will be admitted free of charge He enrolled in teacher training in elementary school and paid relevant salaries to the Education Bureau on his behalf. He said that the University of Hong Kong had rejected his request and the Education Bureau was unwilling to provide discretionary arrangements. He was very helpless: "I have no recourse for any mental damage, but just hope to deal with it The problems we have to face now".
Former member of the Legislative Council of Education, Ye Jianyuan, believes that the definition of primary school teachers should include the posts of primary school teachers within the establishment of the Education Bureau.
(Profile picture / Photo by Luo Junhao)
Ye Jianyuan worries that students of the same subject will face the same treatment
Former Legislative Council member Ye Jianyuan, who has been assisting Chen in following up the incident, said bluntly: "Everyone’s definition of primary school teachers should include 85% of the basic ranks of aided primary schools in Hong Kong. They will not be teaching assistants or substitute teachers. They will hire former teachers and schools. They have all confirmed their academic qualifications with the University of Hong Kong and have done their utmost responsibility. Generally, no one will question the University of Hong Kong. However, the teachers have suffered huge financial losses and their future is unclear. It is very regrettable for the University of Hong Kong to deal with it like this." Ye worries that he is studying and preparing to graduate. Students of the same subject will be affected, and the Education Bureau is required to disclose the list of primary and secondary teacher qualifications recognized by the Bureau for public inquiries.
According to the Education Bureau, since the same school’s teacher training courses with the same name may end up with different teacher qualifications due to different elective subjects selected by the students or other factors, the Education Bureau will not record teachers from various institutions in order to avoid public confusion. Training courses.
(Profile picture)
Education Bureau: Aided schools have the responsibility to review their academic qualifications and need to make appropriate arrangements for teachers. The
Education Bureau acknowledged in its reply that it was dealing with a case of overcharging of salary allowance, emphasizing that aided schools, as employers, used "salary allowances" for their employment. When the teacher.
It is the responsibility to review in detail the academic qualifications submitted by teachers, including documents such as teacher training qualifications and teaching experience.
If the Education Bureau finds that the school’s assessment of teachers’ remuneration is incorrect, it will notify the school to make corrections, and the school management will be responsible for making appropriate arrangements for teachers.
Education Bureau: Students of the same name in the same school can enjoy different qualifications and will communicate with the university on teacher training.
In addition, the Education Bureau also stated that it had communicated with the School of Education of the University of Hong Kong twice in writing in March 2019 and June 2020. The letter confirmed that the degree only includes teacher training for secondary education.
As for whether the list of approved courses with teacher training qualifications will be made public?
According to the Education Bureau, colleges and universities with self-assessment qualifications can offer different levels of teacher training courses. Even if they are taught by the same school and have the same name, they may end up with different teacher training qualifications due to different elective subjects selected by the students or other factors. Therefore, in order to avoid public confusion, the Education Bureau will not record the teacher training courses of various institutions.
However, the Education Bureau stated that it would communicate with local universities on matters of teacher training listed on the academic certificate.
01News
Teacher of the University of Hong Kong, Joint Admissions Education Bureau