PTU’s demise sparks educators’ shock and concern

Members of the education profession expressed shock over the disbandment of the Professional Teachers’ Union on Tuesday, with some saying they’re worried no unions would voice out for them anymore.

After the union’s announcement, crowds flocked to the group’s centres in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay – which also sell merchandise and provide other services, such as dental care – to take photos, make final purchases and bid farewell to the 48-year-old organisation.

“It’s quite a shock for me, and I think it’s quite a shock to many Hong Kong citizens, because it is an organisation with a long history in Hong Kong and has served many parties in Hong Kong. I think there will not be another organisation like this in future,” one person told RTHK.

Another teacher said she saw this coming.

“When we heard about the criticism a few days ago, the result is what we expected. I think people will tend to be silent in future. There will be more control and we will have less freedom than before, maybe in terms of school curriculum,” she said.

Political academic, Ivan Choy, who is a PTU member, expressed surprise over the group’s demise, saying he thought the union’s quitting of various organisations could buy them more time.

The Chinese University’s senior lecturer in public administration said the end of a large union like the PTU could lead to more civic groups dissolving.

“Some organisations which may not have such good conditions, such as large memberships and financial resources, they may worry that even PTU cannot survive in such a political climate,” he said.

“Other smaller, especially those pro-democracy NGOs and civil society organisations, may find that it may be even more difficult for them to survive. It would create a chain effect” he said.

Choy added that the end of PTU means it may be more difficult for teachers to reflect their opinions or negotiate with the government.

The PTU’s announcement even surprised Lawrence Tang from the pro-Beijing Federation of Education Workers.

He said the outcome is unfortunate, and he hopes his sector would take note and learn a lesson.

A spokesperson for the Education Bureau meanwhile said the latest development has no bearing on the work of the bureau.

It said the bureau would not comment on the decision made by the PTU, but officials would continue to work with “genuine” education profession groups.