A tutoring school in Hong Kong has offered an apology and suspended an instructor from teaching duties after a viral video that purportedly captured pupils being verbally disciplined in an aggressive manner sparked criticism online.
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The A-Kids Garden Education Centre in Tai Po told the Post on Friday the tutor had spoken loudly to “maintain order” in the classroom but denied he used any foul language or corporal punishment.
“[The tutor] spoke loudly, but he did not mean to threaten the students,” a spokesman said. “He did not use foul language or mean to threaten the pupils. He just told the students that they could go back home if they did not take the lesson seriously. He did smack his hand on the table but did not beat any pupil.”
Following the incident, the tutor was transferred to clerical duties at the centre’s office, the spokesman added.
The centre posted a message on its Facebook page on Friday announcing the suspension and said it deeply apologised over the incident, while also calling some claims about the tutor’s actions “completely false”.
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The criticisms were sparked by a 58-second-long video clip posted online on Thursday that was purportedly taken outside the tutoring centre. In the clip, a loud, aggressive male voice can be heard yelling, although his words are difficult to make out. A few banging sounds are also heard.
Contacted by the Post on Friday, the internet user who uploaded the video said he was walking past the tutorial school on October 20 when he heard a man scolding loudly inside the classroom.