Seeking Advice: School Principal's Unprofessional Behavior

[shuki]

My child goes to a local school that caters to NCS students and is in P1(Grade-1). After the school reopened post covid related closure, the school said that kids cannot have any solid food during recess and can only drink milk/juice etc to prevent spread of covid.

For almost a month, my child has been following this rule. Recently, my child mentioned that only 2 students stay in class while others have food during recess. When I called the school, they said I need to write a letter asking for permission. I wrote one and when my spouse handed it over, the principal opened it and started insulting my spouse with racial comments. ( "Why only you Indian's have a problem with everything? Why can't you be like the Chinese?" etc).

The next day my child received a letter from the school with permission to have snacks at our own risk. We have been asked to sign on that and return to the school.

Interestingly, the letter also has the following lines at the end :
[minor edit to avoid disclosing the kid's name and gender]

"Please note, it is quite likely that "X" may get exposed to some risks and it would be parents' prime responsibility to advise "him/her" to conduct "him/herself" responsibly. As I know that both of you may be too busy and always overlook the circulars and even don't know that "X" didn't finish "his/her " homework. I really wonder you will take the responsibility as mentioned above."

Now, I'm wondering if I should sign on it since it will indirectly indicate that my kid is not doing any homework regularly and we never read any circulars (both of which are untrue).

Seems the principal clearly has a disliking for people of a particular race and I am concerned that they might use this letter to take any action against the child in future. Yes, I agree that I might be over thinking but it's because I haven't ever come across this type of communication from any school ever. Also, I haven't ever seen a school principal passing rude racial comments on the face of a parent.

I would really appreciate your advice on this.

[Pauljoecoe]

Well clearly both aspects are unprofessional and the first is racist. In a non local school I am doubt it would happen but I am sure there would be a route to complain, school board/ owner.

I am not sure about local schools. Is there a school board or governing body? Maybe write to the EDB? There must be a complaints procedure? Of course this will only exasperate the situation so if nothing was done to 'discapliine' the principal you/your child could be subject to further discrimination.

Have you spoken directly to the principle about your concerns?

[Mary 2]

I’m sorry to hear that shuki but HK can be a very racist place. I would be inclined to ask the Principal to reconsider that paragraph, if they didn’t want to change it then I would take it up with the EDB.

[rani]

Original Post Deleted

What a F***er! I would agree cross out the nonsense and sign it. No point escalating. Are the circulars in English?

[shri]

Scan the letter for sake of documentation, cross out the shit and send back with your signature.

Unfortunately the entire complaints system is geared against the parents. Have been through this with the ESF and I doubt the edb or govt system works any better - I am a cynic.

What the principal said to your spouse will unfortunately be a he said she said type thing and it will be your word against theirs.

[shuki]

Yes, it is in english

[shuki]

Thanks for your response. I have already scanned the letter and I agree that there is no proof that the principal said that to my spouse.

[shri]

Next time around make sure the phone is recording the conversation. You know.. By accident...

[ByeByeEngland]

Thanks for your response. I have already scanned the letter and I agree that there is no proof that the principal said that to my spouse.

Disgusting behaviour. Even if no proof of the verbals the attitude is clearly evident in the letter and I’ll take your word against the principal’s 100 per cent.

Hang in there all of you from all of us on here!

[shuki]

Next time around make sure the phone is recording the conversation. You know.. By accident...

This happened when my spouse went to drop the kid to the school. She wanted to handover the letter in school office but the principal was at the gate and she herself received it. So, no phone call was involved.