Time for PTU to correct all wrongdoing, instead of making excuses

Having received criticism from media outlets on the Chinese mainland for its wrongdoing, the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (PTU) issued its latest "response", claiming "innocence".

Yet in their 112-word-long statement, there are at least six details that run contrary to facts. It claimed to be an organization that fosters the development of the education sector, yet the fact is that it has long become a political organization that curbed the introduction of Citizenship and Social Development education in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region schools. By doing so it hoped to prevent local students from gaining a sense of society and patriotism.

The union claimed it did not stir up students in their schools to join riots in 2019, yet the fact is it selectively helped those who joined the riots to "solve their problems in daily life". The union said it cared about the development path of the nation and the city, but it only wanted them to follow its path -- namely the ‘pro-independence' approach.

The union said it cared about the welfare of the students and teachers, but when two teachers were punished by the local education bureau, it helped the two file a lawsuit in court. Worse, it only issued a notice that shrugged off responsibility in the illegal 2014 "Occupy Central", something contrary to its claim of "caring about the safety of students and teachers". The union also claimed to be against Hong Kong "independence" but actually helped its members to pursue it.

All these examples show that PTU has a rather long record of vicious deeds. Now it scurries for an exit from the Hong Kong Association like a rat escaping a sinking ship, but that's far from enough. The wrongdoing has already been committed and could not be erased.

It's time for PTU to correct all its wrongdoing, instead of trying to get sympathy with lies.