School bill already abused: Cyd Ho
Legislators have accused the government of using provisions in the school reform management bill to impose political censorship even before it has become law.
Their comments came after the Education and Manpower Bureau blocked political activist Christopher Fung Ka-keung from becoming a school board director because of two convictions arising from his protest activities.
Committee chairwoman Cyd Ho Sau-lan said the government was manipulating school board election results by using the 'fit and proper' criteria.
Ms Ho said voters in the board election of the Kwun Tong Government Secondary School - Mr Fung's former school - were aware of the convictions.
'Yet the bureau still delays his appointment even though it has not been specified in the law that candidates with criminal records will be disqualified ... It seems like a political decision of the EMB.'
Under the bill, the Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower can disqualify any incorporated management committee (IMC) member who is considered not 'fit and proper'.
Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower Cheng Man-yiu denied the political censorship accusation, but failed to provide legal grounds for delaying Mr Fung's appointment.
Democratic legislator Cheung Man-kwong pressed for a clear definition of 'fit and proper', and said all elected IMC members should be exempt from the clause.
Mr Cheng has agreed to consider the above proposed amendment. The bill is expected to be passed next month.
