The principal of San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School was summarily dismissed after a viral video showed him yelling at security guards over a parking dispute in Singapore. Labour experts question the legality of the dismissal.
Hong Kong's San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Tuen Mun has terminated its principal, Lee Cheuk-hing, effective June 3, without benefits, after a video of him screaming at security guards in Singapore went viral.
The incident occurred on May 22 at an undisclosed location in Jurong, where Lee argued with two female security guards over a parking issue. According to reports, the guards asked Lee to move the vehicle he and his students were using, but he reacted angrily, shouting and taunting them despite attempts by at least three onlookers to calm him down.
The school management committee issued a statement on Wednesday, June 3, stating that Lee's vulgar behavior violated the school's code of conduct for educators, which aligns with guidelines stipulated by the Education Bureau. This led to his immediate dismissal and removal of all duties. Lee had previously submitted a resignation letter after the video circulated widely, but the school rejected it in favor of summary dismissal, which denies him severance or other benefits.
Labour lawmaker Chau Ka-lok commented that summary dismissal is akin to capital punishment in the labour sector, noting that the threshold for invoking such a clause is very high because employees lose all benefits when summarily dismissed. He emphasized that courts have historically required strong evidence to justify such dismissals. Lee has claimed he was trying to protect his students during the dispute, which may be considered a mitigating factor.
Chau suggested that the school may find it difficult to defend the firing legally, especially if Lee pursues legal action. The case highlights the stringent standards Hong Kong courts apply to summary dismissals, where employers must prove gross misconduct or willful disobedience that irreparably damages the employment relationship. Tang Fei, a lawmaker from the education sector and a former secondary school principal, noted that Lee may have sought legal advice upon feeling his rights were not protected.
Tang pointed out that the incident could impact Lee's provident fund, though the extent depends on the Education Bureau's decision. He added that schools must balance discipline with fairness, especially when educators face public scrutiny. The incident has sparked debate about the use of summary dismissal in Hong Kong schools, with some arguing that it is too harsh for a single outburst, while others emphasize the need to uphold professional standards.
The Education Bureau is expected to review the case and determine any further consequences for Lee's pension or teaching credentials
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