Ryan Chang

Full Script:

Stripped of the right to teach. 

That's the penalty for a teacher who, according to local media, taught at Ho Lap Primary School in Tsz Wan Shan.

The Bureau confirmed the deregistration after a media enquiry. 

It said the incident came to light in April after the General Studies teacher created teaching materials for online classes.  

The teacher allegedly said Britain initiated the Opium War to "destroy opium in China" and the Chinese invented paper to replace the use of turtle shells and animal bones, was to "prevent the extinction of animals."

The EDB blasted the teacher for not preparing lessons seriously and that he taught students "based on his own casual and even nonsensical thoughts." 

One lawmaker questioned if the penalty is proportionate. 

(Soundbite, IP KIN-YUEN, Education sector lawmaker)

"Some of the mistakes may reflect the history knowledge is too shallow. Yes, I think the teacher (would) admit that but on the whole I think the teacher has not made (a) very big mistake and it is not out of ill intention. 

So I think with this punishment, it's far too serious."

He said the teacher was not given a chance to explain himself and the government statement made no mention that the teacher apologised for his mistakes and issued corrections. 

Ip questioned if the EDB was pressured by pro-establishment figures to give such a heavy penalty.

In a separate case in early October, the EDB axed a teacher at Alliance Primary School in Kowloon Tong for "professional misconduct."

That teacher handed students a worksheet after they watched a documentary featuring activist Andy Chan, asking "What is freedom of speech?"

"What are the reasons for Hong Kong independence?"

and "What would Hong Kong be, without freedom of speech?"

As a result, he was accused of spreading pro-independence messages.

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