Hong Kong is implementing a sex conviction record check this year, but the Education Bureau won't say how, or when, it will begin using the scheme for hiring teachers.
The bureau is perhaps the single largest organisation responsible for hiring people for child-related work. It issues teachers' registrations, which they require in order to teach in Hong Kong schools, including tutorial schools. The bureau also issues guidelines to schools on the hiring of teachers.
The sex conviction record check scheme will initially cover employers and organisations whose work involves children or mentally disabled people, but it is unclear if the Education Bureau will be among those in the first stage to use the system to vet existing and prospective teachers.
'The Education Bureau will work closely with the relevant bureau or department to implement the scheme,' a bureau spokeswoman said. 'Upon confirmation of the implementation details, we will update the guidelines on appointment matters for schools as soon as possible.' When pressed for more details, the spokeswoman said she would call back, but did not.
The existing system to vet teaching applicants has been criticised as inadequate by child abuse groups and parent advocates. The bureau asks that schools require candidates to declare previous conviction records or any cancellation or refusal of teacher registration and to provide details accordingly. But schools are unable to verify those declarations independently.
Even under the new scheme, schools will only be able to request the applicant to submit voluntarily to the record check.
