Christian Zheng Sheng College

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Christian Zheng Sheng College (Chinese: 正生書院)
Location
Map
Hong Kong
Information
Typeprivate School
Established1998
PrincipalAlman Chan
SpecialisationDrug problems

Christian Zheng Sheng College (Chinese: 正生書院) is a private school in Hong Kong organized by the Christian Zheng Sheng Association. Its founder and principal is Alman Chan. The school aims to correct problematic students with drug addiction and other problems using life education.[1][2]

History

The college was established in 1985 as a drug addiction treatment centre, and registered as a school in 1998.

Students

As of June 2009 there are 123 students. 90% of its students were ordered to enter the school by court verdict,[3] and most are former drug addicts, with others having committed smuggling, theft and other crimes, who They strive to correct themselves to prepare for a new life in the society. Students with good performance may re-enter conventional secondary schools elsewhere in Hong Kong. According to Alman Chan, 90% of the school's Form 5 graduates do not return to drugs, and most have no problem in finding jobs. [4][5][6][6]

Life

The college is a boarding school. Students stay for an average of three years.[3] In addition to studying and revising, students engage in vocational training to prepare for a new life. They help in cooking and washing. Air conditioning and water heating are not available. [7]

Campus

The campus is located on Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island, accessed by kai-to from Cheung Chau.[8] It is converted from a pig farm.[9] The dormitories in the main campus can only accomodate 72 persons, so some students live in the school's auxiliary dormitory on Cheung Chau and take kai-to to access the main campus.[10] The tables and bookcases are handmade by students. There are only eight toilets at the campus.[11] The campus has a wargame field, built and maintained by students. A stone on a slope overlooking the campus pose possible threat to the school.[6][7]

The school also has a fast food shop selling pizzas on Cheung Chau.[12][13]

Relocation proposal

The college is planning to move to the campus of the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Southern District Secondary School, which was dissolved in 2007, in Mui Wo. They have submitted the application since 2007. [14] The plan attracted media attention in June 2009, leading to widespread discussion in Hong Kong.

Opinions

Mui Wo residents

The plan was opposed by residents, who requested a secondary school in their own area, concerning about their children travelling for 2–3 hours a day to reach other schools, and thought that the campus should be reserved for them. They think that there is a lack of due process for the placement of the college on the site, citing four other applications by other organizations rejected without clear reasons. Many feel that if this proposal is allowed to proceed without due process that this will set a future precedent to allow government to push through any agenda without consultation. Some also pointed out that the Mui Wo Primary School has inadequate space and some wanted an international school. They also expressed their concern that there may be negative effects on the welfare of their own children. Citing the long hours that local children now have to travel to school as a negative influence on their social development and well being. They staged protests to expressed their opposition, often mobilizing their children. They were being widely criticized as selfish and discriminating for their opposition, especially their labelling of Zheng Sheng students as drug addicting boys and girls. According to an RTHK programme, only about 50 students from Mui Wo and Pui O join the Secondary One seat allocation procedure every year. However, if the planned population of Mui Wo of 17,000[15] is reached then the current intake would drastically increase over the next five years.[14][16] Also, a local survey conducted by Pui O primary school has shown that if the school was setup as a grade 1-13 school then the demand would be as high as 900 students.[citation needed] Nonetheless, some Mui Wo residents are supportive of the move.[2][17][18]

Legislative Council and Hong Kong Government

Prominent persons, including government officials, have expressed their support towards Zheng Sheng College. 35 Legislative Council members signed a letter expressing support towards the move, sent to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong on 19 June 2009.[9][19] However, the Government was criticized for its inadequacy in action towards the matter and combating drug addiction. [20][21]

Alman Chan

The principal Alman Chan at first expressed under-confidence on the success of the move, [22] but later expressed confidence in discussing the plan rationally with Mui Wo residents, and hoped that residents understand that the school does not pose negative effects on neighbourhood. [23]

Events

The Government held a consultation meeting in Mui Wo Indoor Recreation Centre on 14 June 2009, attended by about 300 residents of Mui Wo and 30 students of the college. The residents held protesting signs, and the entrance of students was greeted with boos. The meeting was interrupted by scenes such as an attempt to seize the microphone by a Mui Wo resident. [2]

On 21 June 2009 an episode of City Forum was held in the campus of the college. The attitude of Mui Wo residents was reported as more moderate than the meeting on 14 June.[24]

Alternative plans

The Mui Wo Rural Committee has suggested 9 locations to the College.[25] The committee has also suggested that the school expand at its own site. However, Alman Chan has pointed out that such a plan is impossible due to its position in a valley with few flat land. He also pointed out that this would involve expensive blasting and land rights problem.[26]

Heung Yee Kuk has suggested four other alternative school sites at Kwai Chung, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and North District, and also revealed that they will suggest Sai Kung to the Government. Alman Chan expresses that he is open to the suggestions, but opines that the Mui Wo campus suits the needs of the college best, and that he hopes the new campus can enjoy better linkage with Cheung Chau. [27][28]

Daniel Lam, the chairman of the Islands District Council, proposed the drug addiction treatment centres on Hei Ling Chau and Shek Kwu Chau, two other islands near Lantau, as possible sites. Alman Chan commented that the college is a school instead of a drug addiction treatment centre, hoping that the college can be adjacent to smaller communities, to facilitate social work for students. He would not comment further as the Government has not expressed its prose on the sites.[24]

The last principal of the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Southern District Secondary School also suggested to use a piece of vacant land behind the campus. He opined that if such a plan is considered, a resolution could be reached which would allow both the Christian Zheng Sheng College and a new local Mui Wo school to be developed in close proximity. This would allow a win-win solution for both schools.[24]

References

  1. ^ "The College". Christian Zheng Sheng Association. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  2. ^ a b c "梅窩居民拒正生書院　港府籲理性包容 別讓孩子哭". Apple Daily. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  3. ^ a b "校舍殘破 正生書院前路茫茫". Wen Wei Po. 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  4. ^ "正生書院難入梅窩". 星島日報. Retrieved 2009-06-20. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "正生書院遷梅窩 本質是教育問題". 明報. 2009-06-16. Retrieved 2009-06-20. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b c "刻不容緩遏止毒品氾濫校園 － 探訪正生書院接受輔助的吸毒學生". 教協報. 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  7. ^ a b "正生擠逼遷校刻不容緩". Hong Kong Commercial Daily. 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  8. ^ "黃仁龍力挺正生遷梅窩". Hong Kong Daily News. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
  9. ^ a b "正生遷梅窩遇阻 鄉議局提新址". Ta Kung Pao. 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  10. ^ "長洲人讚學生有禮守紀 「梅窩居民最好嚟睇吓」". Apple Daily. 2009-06-17. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
  11. ^ Lyn, Tan Ee (2009-06-23). "HK school helps young drug addicts kick the habit". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  12. ^ "長洲開餐店 與街坊融洽". Sing Pao. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  13. ^ "居民：給青少年自新機會". 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  14. ^ a b "議 事 論 事 第 三 十 四 集". RTHK. 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  15. ^ "意 見 和 回 應 摘 要". Planning Department. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  16. ^ "梅窩與正生尋找和諧之道". Ta Kung Pao. 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  17. ^ "梅窩居民遊行抗議正生書院遷入". 星島日報. Retrieved 2009-06-17. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ "梅窩居民不滿正生書院遷入". Ming Pao. 2009-06-14. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  19. ^ "責梅窩居民「點解咁樣傷害年輕人」 馬時亨哭正生學生". Apple Daily. 2009-06-16. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  20. ^ "正生書院 - 香港人的悲哀". 亞占. 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  21. ^ "要討伐的不是正生書院或梅窩居民". littleoslo. 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  22. ^ "正生書院校長沒信心能遷校". Ming Pao. 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  23. ^ "民政處今諮詢離島居民". Hong Kong Daily News. 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  24. ^ a b c "鄉局建議正生遷喜靈洲". Ming Pao. 2009-06-22. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  25. ^ Siu, Beatrice (2009-06-26). "Political flak flies in drug rehab row". The Standard. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  26. ^ "正生校長指學校原址難擴建". Sing Tao Daily. 2009-06-21. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
  27. ^ "鄉議局建議正生可遷4地點". Ming Pao. 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  28. ^ "論壇移師芝麻灣舉行　黃仁龍撐正生　支持遷入梅窩". Sing Pao. Retrieved 2009-06-23.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Christian_Zheng_Sheng_College&oldid=298937299"