Harboured Dreams of a Boarding School Principal

Wearing only simple vests, the boys dashed down to the docks for their daily necessities, stopping only momentarily to greet their principal and visitors, and ran back to school with boxes weighing on their backs and shoulders. At this sight, their principal, Mr Chan Siu-Cheuk, smiled on with gratification.

Shrinking student population, (voluntary) wage cuts and budget deficits plagued the Christian Zheng Sheng College in Chi Ma Wan (芝麻灣 ; a peninsula on Lantau Island), yet they have soldiered through this pandemic without a day of class suspension.

Traditionally, the school has been viewed more as a correctional institution for teens with drug and behavioural problems rather than a proper educational institution. Yet, Chan believes that the life education he promotes is a way for troubled and lost teens, whether through identifying and managing their hidden afflictions or providing lacking emotional support, to regain their confidence and navigate their place in society. Given the rise in SEN students and students with mental illnesses, Chan believes that the boarding school is what can provide them a structured lifestyle and healthy learning environment in a society that lacks comprehensive policies for teenagers.

“We should be more inclusive and provide multiple pathways to engage our young people to get help,”, said Paul Yip Siu-fai, the chair professor at the University of Hong Kong’s department of social work and social administration, “Some may benefit from boarding schools, some may not,”

The school’s long-term viability has been questioned due to the shrinking enrolment rate. To that, Chan pointed out the decreasing drug cases in Hong Kong, saying, “a third of current students were sent by the court under probation and child protection orders, while the rest were referred by social workers, schools and families.” Notably, the total number of drug abusers in Hong Kong has declined over the past decade, but in fact there is a rise in youth drug abuse (particularly cannabis and cocaine).

As a father himself, Chan hopes to see his students grow up like his own son has, and become brave people with dreams. To do so, he hopes to carry on with his mission so that his students can tread down the sesame peninsula (芝麻灣 ; 芝麻 is Chinese for sesame) towards a new life.

Further readings:

沒有停過一天課　正生書院校長陳兆焯：讓年輕人都留有理想

After years of financial difficulties, Hong Kong boarding school for troubled teens is seeking donations to stay afloat

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