Don't Pressure Teachers, Yeung Tells Students

Education Secretary Kevin Yeung on Saturday urged students not to exert group pressure on teachers holding different political views from their own, saying this would affect freedom of speech and academic freedom.

Yeung was responding to an incident in which Polytechnic University lecturer Chan Wai-keung, who had told media that anti-government protesters must be severely punished, was surrounded and shouted at by a group of students on campus.

Speaking after a radio programme, Yeung also said students should not force anyone - including university presidents - to state their political stance, because their political views may not be directly relevant to their duties.

He also said it's worrying that more students have been arrested after the anti-mask law came into effect earlier this month than before.

Yeung said he hopes that in future, the government can help instill the right values in students, so they can learn to respect different opinions and use non-violent means to express their views.

He also urged parents not to support any illegal acts, saying this may foster the wrong values in their children.