On February 22, some parents of students demonstrated at the entrance of St. Joseph's College in Mid-Levels, chanting slogans, pointing out that there was a "violent murder" and reprimanding the school for improper handling.
The incident was related to a student attacking another student in November last year. "Hong Kong 01" obtained CCTV footage of the incident. A Secondary Two student hit a Secondary One student and fell to the ground for more than ten seconds.
The beating student was arrested and received a superintendent's warning.
The parents of the students who were beaten were interviewed by Hong Kong 01 and expressed their dissatisfaction with the school's handling and the punishment of suspending the students for three days, so they went to the school to protest.
During the interview, he repeatedly mentioned that the assailant was violent and needed medical treatment, but after repeated questioning by the reporter, he admitted that it was all a hypothesis and hoped that the school would explain it.
The Education Bureau’s guidelines state that class suspension is not an appropriate way to deal with students who violate the rules, and only after repeated warnings for serious violations can they be ordered to suspend classes without improvement.
St. Joseph's College stated that it will continue to try to contact the parent, listen to the appeal and discuss how to deal with it, but did not respond to the details of the handling method.
On February 22, the parents of St. Joseph's College students went to demonstrate outside the school, and many citizens took pictures of the demonstration process.
(provided by readers)
The wounded was pressed to the ground for more than ten seconds
According to the CCTV footage of the incident obtained by "Hong Kong 01", it was November 18, 2022, at about 6:23 p.m. The middle two members have pulled.
The black-shirted student threw the white-shirted student's documents on the floor, and then the white-shirted student beat the black-shirted student and pushed him to the ground.
After about ten seconds, other students separated them.
From another perspective, the teacher in trousers was present at the time of the incident, but did not stop it.
At 6:23 p.m. on November 18, a Form 2 student of St. Joseph's College hit a Form 1 student and pressed him on the ground for more than ten seconds.
(Screenshot from CCTV footage)
The 14-year-old boy was detained by the police and has been cautioned by the superintendent
The police stated that after the police officers received the report and arrived at the scene that day, after preliminary investigation, it was believed that the two boys had an argument over trivial matters in the school. The police officers arrested a 14-year-old boy on suspicion of "assault causing actual bodily harm" and another 12-year-old boy. The 1-year-old boy suffered facial injuries and was consciously sent to the hospital. The arrested boy has since been cautioned by the superintendent.
Mr. Lin, the parent of the injured student, took the initiative to contact "Hong Kong 01" to explain the reason for the demonstration.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
Parents contact Hong Kong 01 for interview after demonstration
After the video of the demonstration outside the school was widely circulated, "Hong Kong 01" published relevant reports, listing the statements of the police, the Education Bureau and the school.
Mr. Lin, the parent of the injured student, took the initiative to contact "Hong Kong 01" for an interview, explaining the reason for the demonstration: "I want to make this matter public through the media, tell the whole story, and explain the truth to those who care about this matter. How?" He also admitted that during the demonstration that day, he contacted another media to take close-up shots.
He said that his son was beaten for demanding tens of dollars from the members of the Secondary School team for fast food. He believed that the school mishandled the case.
He said that when the incident happened, the teachers of the basketball school team left work early, and the teachers of the other team did not help when they witnessed the incident. After his son was injured, there was no staff to take care of and treat the wound, so he was allowed to leave school on his own.
After he received a call and learned that his son was injured, he took the initiative to call the police and an ambulance, and then the principal rushed back to the school.
According to the guidelines of the Education Bureau, when encountering school bullying, the teacher should intervene in mediation, and if a student is injured, he should give medical treatment and call an ambulance.
After Mr. Lin's son was injured, he showed signs of post-traumatic syndrome.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
Dislocation of permanent teeth with signs of PTSD
Mr. Lin said that after his son was sent to the hospital, he had an injury test and received treatment.
According to the medical report, his son's upper left deciduous teeth were displaced, and the lower left permanent canine teeth were subluxed. Mr. Lin said that the latest diagnosis was that the permanent teeth had turned into gray teeth; the son's right cervical disc was slightly protruded, and the nerves were normal; there were signs of traumatic sequelae. Regular psychotherapy follow-up is recommended.
He said that one day after his son's accident, he went back to school. "My son was shocked because there was a shadow. I told him that the students across the street hadn't returned to school, so don't be afraid. Dad will send you back to school every day."
Mr. Lin showed photos of his son's injuries.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
First meeting with school wearing protest clothes
Mr. Lin said that the school did not take the initiative to contact him after the incident. After he complained to the Education Bureau, he had the first meeting with the school on December 13. "I added one more member of our team to the meeting on behalf of our family members. I attended the meeting at that time. We all wear headscarves with the words "Bloodwashing the Campus," and "Zero Tolerance of School Violence" written on our clothes."
Mr. Lin was dissatisfied with the school's handling.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
Dissatisfied with the suspension penalty
Mr. Lin was dissatisfied with the school's punishment of the beating student, excluding sick leave, exams, and online classes after the incident, only three-day class suspension, and deducting five subdivisions of conduct. "I absolutely disagree with the three-day suspension. I think it’s unreasonable, and I even think I should repeat the grade.”
Unilateral guesses about "need treatment" and "violent tendencies"
He asked the school to explain the punishment criteria and the psychological evaluation results of the other students, but he said the school refused on the grounds of privacy.
He said that he believed that the school should tell the beating student "what is the diagnosis and what is the treatment", and that the other party has "violent tendencies" and so on.
The reporter asked if there was any basis for thinking that the other party "needs treatment" and "has a violent tendency". He admitted that it was his unilateral guess. The reporter asked the school to inquire on his behalf, and then changed his words and said, "Of course it needs treatment." treatment," etc.
The Education Bureau has guidelines for class suspension.
(Education Bureau document)
Guidance from the Education Bureau: Serious violations have been repeated and no improvement can be ordered to suspend classes
The Education Bureau’s guidelines clearly stated that temporary suspension of classes is not an appropriate way to deal with students who violate the rules. Serious violations of regulations must be ordered to be suspended without improvement after repeated warnings. If the suspension exceeds three days, the Permanent Secretary of the Education Bureau must be notified of the case.
Mr. Lin believed that the school unilaterally informed him that the other student had returned to school, so he refused to allow the school to arrange a meeting on February 22, and went to the school to demonstrate on the morning of the same day. , Without the presence of teaching staff, it was taken out and enlarged, just to force the school to take this matter seriously.”
After the demonstration, St. Joseph's College issued a solemn statement, saying that it has been seriously following up the "body collision incident".
(profile picture)
Vice President: Will continue to listen to appeals
Guo Dimin, the vice-principal of St. Joseph's College, responded to the inquiry of the "Hong Kong 01" reporter, saying that he would continue to try to contact the parent, meet the parents, listen to the appeal, and discuss the follow-up of the unfortunate incident.
He also read out a solemn statement issued by the school after the demonstration, stating that it has been seriously following up the "body collision incident".
The reporter asked about the details of the communication with the parents, the punishment criteria, etc., but he said he had nothing to add.
St. Joseph's College issued a solemn statement.
Temporarily refuse to discuss with other students
The second-year student received a warning from the superintendent, but the police did not file a case. Mr. Lin said that he had accepted the legal decision. He also pointed out that the school had conveyed the message to the parents of the other party to discuss the matter of apology and reconciliation, but he refused, "I I hope to complete the investigation of the school, and after the truth comes to light, after the superintendent warns the case to be closed, and I feel that the school has dealt with it appropriately, then we will deal with the issue of compensation.”
The Education Bureau stated that it had received the "student physical collision" incident and was informed that the school was following up on the case and maintaining communication with stakeholders. It also stated that it has zero tolerance for school bullying.
Two men protesting in blood outside St. Joseph's College, a prestigious school in Mid-Levels, involved students beating classmates in November last year
