HONGKONG-CHINA/PRIMARY SCHOOLS Hong Kong primary schools reopen as protest enters tenth day

Record ID: 858733

  • Title: HONGKONG-CHINA/PRIMARY SCHOOLS Hong Kong primary schools reopen as protest enters tenth day
  • Date: 7th October 2014
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (OCTOBER 7, 2014) (REUTERS) PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WALKING DOWN STEPS EN ROUTE TO SCHOOL STUDENT HOLDING BALL WALKING DOWN STEPS VARIOUS OF STUDENTS WALKING DOWN STEPS SIGN READING (English) "PRIMARY SCHOOL" STUDENTS WALKING THROUGH SCHOOL GATES/ PARENTS STANDING PARENTS STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) PARENT OF GRADE 5 STUDENT, LETTEL LEUNG, SAYING: "I do not accept it. The aim of Occupy Central is so-called democracy, but for democracy, now their (children's) education has been affected, and I don't think this is very nice. I think secondary school, higher diploma and university students can continue (protesting), but really they should leave some space for the primary and kindergarten students. They really have to go to school." STUDENTS WALKING TO SCHOOL (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) GRADE 5 STUDENT, BASCO CHEUNG, SAYING: "Today there will be spelling quizzes, all the quizzes scheduled for the past are all happening today, so I'm very nervous. But I'm also excited, because I don't know what we will do in class today." WOMAN HOLDING SCHOOL BAG, BOY RUNNING TO SCHOOL BOY RUNNING TO SCHOOL BOY RUNNING TO SCHOOL / STAFF SHUTTING GATE AT 0800 LOCAL TIME (0000GMT)
  • Embargoed: 22nd October 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • City:
  • Country: China
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADYMCO8VGSSIO22CXZMM5JUZ4C
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Hong Kong primary schools reopened on Tuesday (October 7) after their closure for over a week due to pro-democracy demonstrations in the city.
    Hundreds of protesters remained camped out in the heart of the former British colony after more than a week of rallies that saw tens of thousands on the streets in its peak.
    The protests have ebbed and flowed over the past week, with people leaving the streets overnight to return later. Police have taken a hands-off approach since last week when they fired tear gas and pepper spray at protesters, creating a public relations mess and provoking more people to join the unrest.
    Fearing a crackdown after city leaders called for the streets to be cleared so businesses, schools and the civil service could resume on Monday (October 6), protesters who have paralysed parts of the former British colony with mass sit-ins pulled back from outside Leung's office.
    One parent, Lettel Leung, said he was upset the demonstrations had affected his child's education.
    "I do not accept it. The aim of Occupy Central is so-called democracy, but for democracy, now their (children's) education has been affected, and I don't think this is very nice. I think secondary school, higher diploma and university students can continue (protesting), but really they should leave some space for the primary and kindergarten students. They really have to go to school," Leung said.
    A grade five student, Basco Cheung, said the school gave them homework online while it was shut last week.
    "Today there will be spelling quizzes, all the quizzes scheduled for the past are all happening today, so I'm very nervous. But I'm also excited, because I don't know what we will do in class today," Cheung said.
    Over the past week, tens of thousands of protesters have demanded that the city's Beijing-appointed leader Leung Chun-ying quit and that China allow Hong Kong people the right to vote for a leader of their choice in 2017 elections.

  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register