HK school strikes slammed as classes resume

The first day of the new school year for many students in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was relatively quiet and smooth on Monday despite calls by anti-government groups to boycott classes.

The calls made by some protesters came amid months of turmoil that began in early June. This summer, rampant radicals have plunged Hong Kong into chaos with escalating violence.

In Tung Chung, two schools with nearly 1,200 students, kicked off the first day of classes with the singing of the national anthem and a flag-raising activity.

Firmly opposed to the boycott, Hui Chun-lung, the principal of HKFEW Wong Cho Bau Secondary School, told more than 500 students and teachers attending the ceremony that studying should be the top priority for teenagers.

Only equipped with deep knowledge can youth contribute to society, the nation and the world, Hui said.

Among the attendees, a student surnamed Yu said she will focus on her studies and doesn't want to be affected by social disputes.

Speaking after visiting a primary school in Yau Ma Tei, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said most schools in Hong Kong are operating normally.

He expressed confidence in schools' ability to handle the issue and appealed to those attempting to bring politics on campus to stop instigating students.

Despite normal operations at most schools on Monday, there were still some worrying signs in the city.

Vicki Jiang, 19, a freshman at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was nervous after noticing crowds of people in black wandering around campus with umbrellas.

Fearing that the situation might escalate, Jiang and her friends decided to skip an optional physical fitness class in the afternoon.

However, she said the sign-in sheets for her first classes on Monday were almost full.

Most freshmen were focused and active during class and showed no signs of joining the boycott, Jiang said.

At an interdepartmental news conference on Monday, Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung strongly opposed boycotting classes, adding that schools are places for learning and should not be disturbed by political disputes.

He deplored any actions that instigate or even coerce students to participate in the strikes. "Such actions definitely do no good for the next generation," Cheung said.

After a school visit on Monday, Yeung urged local organizations not to disturb or incite students.

He said the recent situation is worrying as there are still numerous irresponsible remarks on the internet encouraging bullying on campus. The education authority reminded schools to closely monitor such cases, Yeung added.

Local advocacy group Safeguard HK, in an advertisement in local newspapers, appealed to school authorities to enhance management in the new term to avoid any bullying.