In this undated file photo, a teacher at King's College in Hong Kong explains national security issues to students in a special class. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong teachers now have clearer directions and stricter regulations on how to conduct themselves, with newly-issued guidelines that require them to safeguard national security, help students cultivate a correct understanding of the nation and instill positive energy instead of hatred.

The guidelines, issued by the city’s Education Bureau, specify that in the most serious misconduct cases, teachers’ licenses will be suspended permanently. For other serious cases, the bureau will suspend teachers’ licenses for a specified period, such as three years. Within this period, teachers’ registration applications will not be accepted.

The guidelines clearly set out actions teachers can or cannot perform. They should have a good command of the nation’s Constitution, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the National Security Law for Hong Kong, and help students form a correct understanding of the nation.

Teachers should use their initiative to safeguard national security, social order and the public interests, and actively support and promote national education.

They should not advocate hatred and violence or instigate students to act in ways that disrupt social order, and they should not condone potentially illegal activities on campus. They are also forbidden from organizing or participating in activities that violate the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the National Security Law for Hong Kong, and other local laws.

The document lists eight standards of professional conduct for teachers, including the pursuit of professionalism, adherence to the rule of law, integrity and impartiality, devotion to duty, care for students, and respect for privacy.

It also specifies the mechanisms and processes for the Education Bureau to handle complaints against teachers.

Issuing the guidelines, a spokesperson for the bureau said the conduct of teachers has a great influence on students, adding that teachers should maintain professionalism and uphold a high moral standard to help students form the correct values.

In addition to focusing on Hong Kong’s education system and the existing legislation, the bureau has also referred to relevant documents on the professional development of teachers and the professional standards of teachers in different countries and regions, said the spokesperson.

In an open letter to schools in the city, Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin suggested teachers familiarize themselves with the requirements in order to better conduct educational activities. Schools’ sponsoring bodies and governance authorities should also refer to the guidelines so they can supervise their teachers, Choi said.

She added that the Education Bureau will also use the guidelines as a reference to review the registration of teachers, and will constantly update the guidelines if there is a need to do so.

Contact the writers at bingcun@chinadailyhk.com