Hong Kong Trip (Part 2) - Fresh Fish Traders' School (Special Report) - 鮮魚行學校

I have specially dedicated this page to writing about Fresh Fish Traders' School. This school has impacted me greatly.

Background

Fresh Fish Trader Primary school was founded in 1969. Mr Leung Kee-Cheong is currently the Head Master of the school for the past 14 years. The school population has around 250 students and most of the students have single parents or parents who are new immigrants from the mainland with extremely low income and not eligible for public housing. According to Mr Leung, almost 70% of his students are from poor families and require some forms of financial assiatance. The school’s operating expenditure is HK$ 3 million per year, but the MOE only provides 1.5 million, leaving the school to raise the remaining funds (1.5 million) from the public. Mr Leung also shared that he had led the students and parents onto the streets and swarmed the Education Department in 2004 and 2007 after the school was told  to close because of insufficient enrolment. Twice he succeeded to keep the school going for the sake of helping these under-privileged kids.

I have recorded a short presentation of the school that the Principal did for us. In a mixture of English & Cantonese.







My observations :

This school may not have very impressive equipment or resources but it does deliver a truly values-driven education. You have senior students coaching younger students in their studies. I saw a group of older students gathered together to help a younger child in fixing a broken water bottle cap- unrehearsed. Students attending lessons attentively without being rowdy. Students thanking school attendants for giving out free bread. The students enjoy a close relationship with their Principal so much so that he remembers all his 260 students by name.  Impressive.

Love and Moral Education

Mr Leung emphasised on love and moral education. His definition of a good teacher is that one must have the heart for students. During the visit, we saw many students surrounding Mr Leung—one even addressed him as “principal father” (校长爸爸). The group was very touched by his passion and “heart” for his students. He is able to call every single student by name. Students go to his office to collect gifts from him for their good results, some even read story books and did their homework at the principal’s office during break time. The school also provides free breakfast for students and gifts for needy families during festive seasons.

Mr Leung believed that students need to feel a sense of belonging to the school and teachers. He provided teachers some money from his own pocket to celebrate students’ birthdays in the classroom. He paid regular home visits to the needy families as a form of support and to show concern to the families. He is a fatherly figure and a role model to his students, and demonstrated to the group the importance of a leader who walks his talk. He is indeed a very good example for many educators like us to emulate.

 

                        Rows of Senior Students helping Younger Students in an English Lesson

                  This report shows the heart of the Principal - How he put meat into children's meal

                   

  The Principal's room is full of toys. Whenever a student finishes his homework, he would reward him /her with a small toy.