Eddie Ng Hak-kim stranded in limousine 45 minutes as students and activists demanded meeting over controversial Territory-wide System Assessment
KC.NG@SCMP.COM
UPDATED : Sunday, 20 March, 2016, 6:04pm
Secretary for Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim speaking to media at Tamar last week. Photo: Sam Tsang
The education minister has dismissed allegations he chose to play with his smartphone rather than receive protesters during a stand-off on Saturday, insisting he was working at the time.
Secretary for Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim also warned of possible “copycat actions” by other protesters resorting to clashes and road blockades to impose their views on those who did not agree with them.
The education chief was stranded in his limousine for 45 minutes on Saturday after officiating a ceremony at Queen Elizabeth School Old Students’ Association Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School in Tin Shui Wai.
Some 30 students and activists, including members of radical political group Civic Passion, besieged Ng’s car, demanding he step down as minister and discuss abolishing the controversialTerritory-wide System Assessment.
A stand-off followed, with some protesters blocking the road to prevent Ng from leaving.
During the stand-off, Ng was seen using a smartphone in the car. He was criticised by some media for “playing with his phone but not seeing students”.
Ng rejected the claim. “I was using my phone to communicate with my colleagues and do my work,” he said.
The education chief also expressed concerns about school issues being politicised and “students being “affected or used”.
Ng said he would be pleased to meet students but that such meetings had to be conducted in an appropriate manner.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1927682/protesters-confront-hong-kong-education-chief-car
