Registered Teachers

Registered Teachers 

The Education Ordinance (Cap. 279) (EO) vests the Permanent Secretary for Education (PSED) with broad discretionary powers to ensure teacher quality. 

Cancellation of Registration (Section 47 of the EO) 

Section 47 of the EO is the statutory authority for removing a teacher from the register. The PSED may cancel the registration of a teacher if it appears that the teacher is: 

• Incompetent; 
• Not a fit and proper person to be a teacher; or 
• Suffering from a health condition that renders them unsuitable.    

Additionally, the PSED can require a registered teacher or an applicant to undergo a medical examination under Section 43 of the EO. Refusal or failure to pass it (e.g. due to mental incapacity), provides grounds for refusal of registration (Section 46 of the EO) or cancellation of registration (Section 47 of the EO).    

While the EO does not explicitly cite an order appointing a committee to manage the property and affairs of a registered teacher (made under Part II of the MHO) as a specific ground for cancellation of registration, a teacher found incapable of managing their affairs would likely fail the “fit and proper” test. Furthermore, this incapacity would arguably constitute “incompetence” in the discharge of teaching duties.