Christian Zheng Sheng College
Encyclopedia
Christian Zheng Sheng College is a private school in Hong Kong established by the Christian Zheng Sheng Association (ZSA). Its founder and principal is Alman Chan. The school aims to correct problematic students with drug addiction and other problems using life education.
Gossip magazine Next Magazine
created a stir when it published allegations that the ZSA had investments valued at HK$35.2 million (US$4.5 million) in the mainland and Japan, some of which are said to be "questionable". The Association subsequently said that its investments in restaurants, tea houses, and farms serve as employment venues where its students can obtain work experience. It explained it had registered its business address, now the site of a brothel, in 2007 but had relocated following a change of operations but had neglected to amend the registration. The ICAC
raided the offices of the Association, the school and Alma Chan's residence on 21 August. Documents were taken away as part of their investigation. Next continued to allege that Zheng Sheng’s charities were fake, that subsidiary operation in Japan is a business entity engaging in real estate investments, its elderly home in Chaozhou is badly run and vacant, and that children at its orphanage in Henan starve from time to time and are often forced to do labour. Heung Yee Kuk chief Lau Wong-fat has also called on the government to launch an investigation into the Christian Zheng Sheng College drug-rehab-school saga.
The school is now considering separating its accounts from its parent organisation said board member Professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei. Shek has also requested the return of documents taken by the ICAC. Professor Daniel Shek is involved in many aspects of this saga. He is a board member of the Christian Zheng Sheng College and the chairman of ACAN, the Action Committee Against Narcotics http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200906/18/P200906180279.htm the governmental body that advises the Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau. It was ACAN in June 2009 that proposed the move of the Christian Zheng Sheng College to the Mui Wo area. Professor Shek has also, in his role as ACAN Chairman been responsible for significant fund raising for the Christian Zheng Sheng Association. Professor Shek also continues to be a member of the ICAC Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200812/24/P200812240101.htm.
In December 2009, Shek resigned from its board to eliminate the risk of conflict of interest; principal Alman Chan said that the average monthly donations to the association had fallen to about HK$70,000 a month compared to about HK$110,000 before the investigation, and said that this would affect the annual Lunar New Year visit by a group of mainland orphans to Hong Kong.
On 22 March 2010, ICAC wrote a written statement to the college informing that ICAC didn't find any evidence of fraud or corruption. ICAC had ceased further investigation and closed the case. Furthermore, ICAC apologised for causing public anxiety towards the college.
, theft and other crimes. The students 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 Principal Alman Chan, 90% of the school's Form 5 graduates do not return to drugs, and most have no problem finding jobs.
The majority (100 out of 120) of students receive funds from the Hong Kong Government. According to the Social Welfare Department receives about HK$1 million of taxpayers money each month.
The money is meant to support around 100 of the 120 students, with each getting around HK$10,000 in dole payments.
, accessed by kai-to
from Cheung Chau
or by road from lantau.
The dormitories in the main campus can only accommodate 72 persons, so some students live in the school's auxiliary dormitory on Cheung Chau and take kai-to
to access the main campus. The tables and bookcases are handmade by students. There are only eight toilets at the campus. 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.
The school also has a fast food shop selling pizzas on Cheung Chau.
on Lantau disused since 2007. Vocal protests from local residents about the relocation lead to widespread discussion in Hong Kong.
Following a government survey which indicated 90% opposition by residents, the government sponsored a meeting in Mui Wo on 14 June to present the relocation plans and the future of the college. The meeting was attended by about 200 local residents. The school said that the relocation is needed because the existing premises were overcrowded, and there are safety concerns. The college has more than twice the number of students than it should accommodate. The school's supervisor announced its desire to settle in Mui Wo, declaring: "We are not outsiders but part of it." His, and government representatives' remarks were met with boos as residents held protesting signs against the re-location of the school. Some residents expressed hostility towards students, calling them "addicts", and causing some to break into tears. Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong said: "The government understands how local residents feel, but the college has a positive contribution to re-educate the young drug abusers."
said the opposition is "the common 'not in my backyard
' mentality". However, one rural committee member said that negative reports about the college would help their fight for the vacant school site.
expressed hoped that local communities could help young drug abusers return to society. He said "...young people do sometimes go astray... I hope Hong Kong society generally, and the Mui Wo community in particular, can embrace these young people with love and give them a second chance." However, the government was criticised by Islands district councillors for a lack of consultation on the school's relocation. Security Bureau principal assistant secretary (narcotics) said 50 rural sites have been evaluated, with only a few can meet the requirements of the rehabilitation college.
Prominent persons, including government officials, have expressed their support towards Zheng Sheng College. Pan democrats issued a joint statement supporting the relocation decision; 35 Legislative Council
members signed the letter expressing support towards the move, sent to the Chief Executive
on 19 June 2009.
Julie Chen of the Education Bureau said Mui Wo only has 24 Primary One students and 50 Secondary One students in 2009, not enough to fulfil the requirement for a secondary school. However the catchement area for the secondary school would take in the other villages in south Lantau (Pui O, Tong Fuk) and the island of Peng Chau. According to government figures, the population of Mui Wo and nearby districts was 5,200 in 2006, of which 1,096 were primary, secondary as well as university students. As only 86 students chose to study at the school, which used Chinese as its medium of instruction, in 2006–07, it closed down in 2007.
The school feared the controversy will delay its relocation. Supervisor Jacob Lam Hay-sing said: "[The students] are part of society and we can't exile them. They need a formal school to accommodate them and we can't just accept any place. Don't forget there may be a few thousand drug abusers in formal schools."
Following the petition organised by the pan democrats, the principal expressed concern that such a politicisation by the pan-democrats could actually backfire on the school.
The Heung Yee Kuk
, which was asked by the government to mediate in the row, suggested nine alternative school sites. 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.
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. 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.
History and funding
The college was established in 1985 as a drug addiction treatment centre, and registered as a private school in 1998. The college is Hong Kong's only educational establishment dedicated to helping reform young drug offenders. As a private school, it does not receive any subsidies from the Education Bureau. Public donations make up less than 10 percent of the funding needs. According to press reports, teachers are paid 80% of their salaries, the principal is paid 60% of his salary, and the budget for each student is only one-third of that for special students at subsidised institutions. School fees and boarding fees from the school are the main revenue source for the Zheng Sheng Association, but the ZSA revealed that school operated on a break-even basis in aggregate over the past 11 years.Gossip magazine Next Magazine
Next Magazine
Next Magazine is a Chinese weekly magazine, published in Hong Kong and Taiwan with different versions. Owned by Jimmy Lai , both magazines are the number one news magazines in both markets in terms of audited circulation and AC Nielsen reports...
created a stir when it published allegations that the ZSA had investments valued at HK$35.2 million (US$4.5 million) in the mainland and Japan, some of which are said to be "questionable". The Association subsequently said that its investments in restaurants, tea houses, and farms serve as employment venues where its students can obtain work experience. It explained it had registered its business address, now the site of a brothel, in 2007 but had relocated following a change of operations but had neglected to amend the registration. The ICAC
ICAC
ICAC may refer to:*Independent Commission Against Corruption**Independent Commission Against Corruption **Independent Commission Against Corruption *Indiana Collegiate Athletic Conference...
raided the offices of the Association, the school and Alma Chan's residence on 21 August. Documents were taken away as part of their investigation. Next continued to allege that Zheng Sheng’s charities were fake, that subsidiary operation in Japan is a business entity engaging in real estate investments, its elderly home in Chaozhou is badly run and vacant, and that children at its orphanage in Henan starve from time to time and are often forced to do labour. Heung Yee Kuk chief Lau Wong-fat has also called on the government to launch an investigation into the Christian Zheng Sheng College drug-rehab-school saga.
The school is now considering separating its accounts from its parent organisation said board member Professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei. Shek has also requested the return of documents taken by the ICAC. Professor Daniel Shek is involved in many aspects of this saga. He is a board member of the Christian Zheng Sheng College and the chairman of ACAN, the Action Committee Against Narcotics http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200906/18/P200906180279.htm the governmental body that advises the Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau. It was ACAN in June 2009 that proposed the move of the Christian Zheng Sheng College to the Mui Wo area. Professor Shek has also, in his role as ACAN Chairman been responsible for significant fund raising for the Christian Zheng Sheng Association. Professor Shek also continues to be a member of the ICAC Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200812/24/P200812240101.htm.
In December 2009, Shek resigned from its board to eliminate the risk of conflict of interest; principal Alman Chan said that the average monthly donations to the association had fallen to about HK$70,000 a month compared to about HK$110,000 before the investigation, and said that this would affect the annual Lunar New Year visit by a group of mainland orphans to Hong Kong.
On 22 March 2010, ICAC wrote a written statement to the college informing that ICAC didn't find any evidence of fraud or corruption. ICAC had ceased further investigation and closed the case. Furthermore, ICAC apologised for causing public anxiety towards the college.
Students
The existing school can accommodate 30 students; as of June 2009 there are 123 students. 90% of its students were ordered to enter the school by court verdict, and most are former drug addicts, with others having committed smugglingSmuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
, theft and other crimes. The students 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 Principal Alman Chan, 90% of the school's Form 5 graduates do not return to drugs, and most have no problem finding jobs.
The majority (100 out of 120) of students receive funds from the Hong Kong Government. According to the Social Welfare Department receives about HK$1 million of taxpayers money each month.
The money is meant to support around 100 of the 120 students, with each getting around HK$10,000 in dole payments.
Campus life
The college is a boarding school. Students stay for an average of three years. 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. The campus is located on Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau IslandLantau Island
Lantau Island , based on the old local name of Lantau Peak , is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River. Administratively, most of Lantau Island is part of the Islands District of Hong Kong...
, accessed by kai-to
Kai-to
The kai-to is a type of small, motorized ferry operating in Hong Kong. They are usually used to serve remote coastal settlements in the territory's outlying islands....
from Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau is a small island 10 km southwest of Hong Kong Island, is nicknamed as the 'dumbbell island' for its shape. It has been inhabited for longer than most other places in the territory of Hong Kong, with a population of about 23,000 up to 2006...
or by road from lantau.
The dormitories in the main campus can only accommodate 72 persons, so some students live in the school's auxiliary dormitory on Cheung Chau and take kai-to
Kai-to
The kai-to is a type of small, motorized ferry operating in Hong Kong. They are usually used to serve remote coastal settlements in the territory's outlying islands....
to access the main campus. The tables and bookcases are handmade by students. There are only eight toilets at the campus. 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.
The school also has a fast food shop selling pizzas on Cheung Chau.
Relocation proposal
The college submitted a relocation application to the government in 2007. Four government departments, including the Education Bureau and Narcotics Division, have agreed in principle to move a cash- strapped drug rehabilitation school from Chi Ma Wan to the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Southern District Secondary School site in Mui WoMui Wo
Mui Wo is a rural town on the eastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. The main beach in Mui Wo is known as Silver Mine Bay .-History:...
on Lantau disused since 2007. Vocal protests from local residents about the relocation lead to widespread discussion in Hong Kong.
Following a government survey which indicated 90% opposition by residents, the government sponsored a meeting in Mui Wo on 14 June to present the relocation plans and the future of the college. The meeting was attended by about 200 local residents. The school said that the relocation is needed because the existing premises were overcrowded, and there are safety concerns. The college has more than twice the number of students than it should accommodate. The school's supervisor announced its desire to settle in Mui Wo, declaring: "We are not outsiders but part of it." His, and government representatives' remarks were met with boos as residents held protesting signs against the re-location of the school. Some residents expressed hostility towards students, calling them "addicts", and causing some to break into tears. Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong said: "The government understands how local residents feel, but the college has a positive contribution to re-educate the young drug abusers."
Mui Wo residents' views
The plan was opposed by residents, who felt that this would prevent them from using their only school site for the educational purposes of their local children. They further argues that the site should be given over to start a secondary school, as their children are currently obliged to travel for 2–3 hours a day to reach other schools. 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 organisations rejected without clear reasons. Some residents argue that there is need for a bilingual school which would cater for up to 800 students. Mui Wo residents allege that the previous school had been mismanaged, having gone through 13 principals in its short history, and state that they have been lobbying the government for adequate community schooling facilities for some time. They also complain about lack of consultation by the government, which presented them with a fait accompli. They staged protests to expressed their opposition, often mobilising their children. A protest march organised attracted between 600–800 people. They were widely criticised for labelling Zheng Sheng students as "addicts", and as selfish for their opposition. An editorial in The StandardThe Standard
The Standard is an English free newspaper of Hong Kong with a daily circulation of 231,018. It was called the Hong Kong Standard and changed to HKiMail during the Internet boom, but it changed back to The Standard in 2001....
said the opposition is "the common 'not in my backyard
NIMBY
NIMBY or Nimby is an acronym for the phrase "not in my back yard". The term is used pejoratively to describe opposition by residents to a proposal for a new development close to them. Opposing residents themselves are sometimes called Nimbies...
' mentality". However, one rural committee member said that negative reports about the college would help their fight for the vacant school site.
Legislative Council and Hong Kong Government
Chief Executive Donald TsangDonald Tsang
Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, GBM, KBE is the current Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong....
expressed hoped that local communities could help young drug abusers return to society. He said "...young people do sometimes go astray... I hope Hong Kong society generally, and the Mui Wo community in particular, can embrace these young people with love and give them a second chance." However, the government was criticised by Islands district councillors for a lack of consultation on the school's relocation. Security Bureau principal assistant secretary (narcotics) said 50 rural sites have been evaluated, with only a few can meet the requirements of the rehabilitation college.
Prominent persons, including government officials, have expressed their support towards Zheng Sheng College. Pan democrats issued a joint statement supporting the relocation decision; 35 Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
members signed the letter expressing support towards the move, sent to the Chief Executive
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
on 19 June 2009.
Julie Chen of the Education Bureau said Mui Wo only has 24 Primary One students and 50 Secondary One students in 2009, not enough to fulfil the requirement for a secondary school. However the catchement area for the secondary school would take in the other villages in south Lantau (Pui O, Tong Fuk) and the island of Peng Chau. According to government figures, the population of Mui Wo and nearby districts was 5,200 in 2006, of which 1,096 were primary, secondary as well as university students. As only 86 students chose to study at the school, which used Chinese as its medium of instruction, in 2006–07, it closed down in 2007.
School
Following protests from Mui Wo residents, students wrote letters to Mui Wo residents and the Heung Yee Kuk expressing regret over their past wrongdoings, and pleading to be allowed to move into their new location.The school feared the controversy will delay its relocation. Supervisor Jacob Lam Hay-sing said: "[The students] are part of society and we can't exile them. They need a formal school to accommodate them and we can't just accept any place. Don't forget there may be a few thousand drug abusers in formal schools."
Following the petition organised by the pan democrats, the principal expressed concern that such a politicisation by the pan-democrats could actually backfire on the school.
Alternative plans
The Mui Wo Rural Committee has suggested 17 locations to the College. 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. However, to date neither the administration or the Zheng Sheng College have published a formal selection criteria http://www.scribd.com/doc/19140722/Complaint-Regarding-the-Governments-LongStanding-Neglect-of-the-Urgent-Local-Educational-Needs-of-Residents-of-Mui-Wo-and-Southern-Lantau-and-the-The Heung Yee Kuk
Heung Yee Kuk
The Heung Yee Kuk is a statutory advisory body representing the indigenous inhabitants of New Territories, Hong Kong.Colloquially shortened to 'the Kuk'.-History:...
, which was asked by the government to mediate in the row, suggested nine alternative school sites. 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.
Daniel Lam
Daniel Lam
Daniel Lam Wai-keung SBS, JP is the former Chairman of the Hong Kong Regional Council as well as a former member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong....
, the chairman of the Islands District
Islands District
The Islands District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is part of the New Territories. It had a population of 137,122 in 2009.Hong Kong consists of a peninsula and 236 islands...
Council, proposed the drug addiction treatment centres on Hei Ling Chau
Hei Ling Chau
Hei Ling Chau , formerly Hayling Chau, is an island of Hong Kong, located east of Silver Mine Bay and Chi Ma Wan of Lantau Island. It is administratively part of the Islands District.-Geography:...
and Shek Kwu Chau
Shek Kwu Chau
Shek Kwu Chau is an island of Hong Kong, located south of Lantau Island and between Cheung Chau and the Soko Islands. Administratively, it is part of Islands District.Shek Kwu Chau is a restricted area and a permit is required to visit the island....
, 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. 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.