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William Yiu

The principal of a Hong Kong primary school opposite the scene of the deadly Tai Po fire has expressed hope that the institution can relocate, saying the horrifying view of the charred buildings will make parents feel uncomfortable and affect enrolment.
Tai Po Baptist Public School head Siu Ting said the campus was still sealed off and there was currently no date set for when pupils might return.
The children had been learning in makeshift classrooms at two public universities for the past two weeks and will attend classes at two other primary schools starting from next Monday and until at least the end of the school year.
Siu said she doubted that Tai Po Baptist Public School’s campus near Wang Fuk Court was still fit for educational purposes.
“Going back to our campus to attend classes is not an ideal arrangement for every stakeholder of the school,” Siu said.
School supervisor Tsang Ka-shek earlier said the nearby scene was too disturbing.
The school, which is just opposite the estate, is the only institution to remain cordoned off after the deadly inferno that broke out on November 26.

The fire left at least 160 people dead and another 79 injured after raging through seven of the housing complex’s eight blocks for about 43 hours.
Siu added that since it was still unclear whether Wang Fuk Court would be demolished and rebuilt, the uncertainty gave school management additional concerns about letting pupils return to the campus.
“We very much hope our school can be relocated,” she said.
The principal said some parents had already said they would switch to other schools if their children were told to return to the campus.
Siu said the school would face further challenges in January when parents would make their choices using the central allocation system to determine where their children would enrol for Primary One.
She said she hoped the government could provide a discretionary arrangement to the public school, given that such institutions were required to reach an enrolment threshold to receive funding or potentially face being axed.
The school’s wish to relocate elsewhere within Tai Po district was being conveyed to education authorities, she said.
“Our supervisor and incorporated management committee are still communicating this issue with the Education Bureau, but there is no magic. We have to wait,” Siu said.
The principal said the temporary relocation to two other primary schools could also pose challenges and expressed concerns that the presence of the additional pupils might affect others and create conflicts.

Tai Po Baptist Public School’s Primary Two and Four pupils, comprising eight classes, will move to NTWJWA Christian Remembrance of Grace Primary School.
The remaining pupils, comprising 18 classes, will go to Tai Po Government Primary School.
“We are not moving to vacant school premises. The schools where we are going to have students studying. Some of our teachers described it as lodging at someone else’s place,” Siu said.
“It is not only an issue of having a classroom. Students also have to get out of the classrooms and interact with others.
“We are afraid there will be conflicts among students and teachers. It will eventually affect students’ learning.”
Carol Chan Suk-yee, Tai Po Baptist Public School’s vice-principal, also said staff had not dared to bring too many things from the old location since they were using other institutions’ campuses.
The bureau earlier said it would give HK$5 million (US$642,600) to the three schools affected by the fire to support them during the transition period.
Siu said the funds had been used to set up new offices at the two other schools and to renovate some rooms to suit the needs of Tai Po Baptist Public School.
In a reply to the Post, the bureau said it would assess the situation and consider all feasible options to help the school with its campus issues as soon as possible, adding that students’ interests were the primary concern of education authorities.
“[The bureau] will announce the arrangements in due course … and continue to maintain close contact with the school and provide necessary assistance,” a spokeswoman said.


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Education in Hong Kong

The aftermath of the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Photo: Jelly Tse

Principal Siu Ting says some parents have already said they will switch to other schools if their children are told to return to the campus near Wang Fuk Court. Photo: Sam Tsang

Pupils from Tai Po Baptist Public School learn in a makeshift classroom at City University. Photo: Sam Tsang

Pupils from Tai Po Baptist Public School learn about farming at CityU. Photo: Sam Tsang

Tai Po Baptist Public School pupils take physical education lessons at EdU. Photo: Jelly Tse

Pupils take classes at CityU. Tai Po Baptist Public School principal Siu Ting has said she is grateful for CityU’s help, from classroom space to emotional support. Photo: Sam Tsang

500 pupils affected by Hong Kong fire resume classes at university this week

Tai Po Baptist Public School pupils enjoy a physical education class held in the Education University gymnasium. Photo: Jelly Tse

Education University president Professor John Lee (left) and Tai Po Baptist Public School supervisor Tsang Ka-shek hold a press briefing at EdU’s temporary support centre on Friday. Photo: Jelly Tse

EdU has offered its gymnasium and converted activity rooms as temporary classrooms for TPBPS. Photo: Jelly Tse

News

Hong Kong

Education

Tai Po Baptist Public School principal says ‘going back to our campus to attend classes is not an ideal arrangement for every stakeholder’


Tai Po Baptist Public School principal says ‘going back to our campus to attend classes is not an ideal arrangement for every stakeholder’.


Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong society

Primary school near Hong Kong estate destroyed in deadly blaze hopes to move

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Tai Po Baptist Public School principal says ‘going back to our campus to attend classes is not an ideal arrangement for every stakeholder’

Tai Po Baptist Public School principal says ‘going back to our campus to attend classes is not an ideal arrangement for every stakeholder’