Good Hope School Apologises Over "Cantonese Ban," Immediately Withdraws Guidelines and Redrafts Them with Graduates

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Good Hope School, a prestigious direct-subsidy school, planned to ban Form 6 students from using Cantonese in graduation videos and even stated that Cantonese audio would be muted, sparking controversy a few days ago. The school issued a statement today publicly apologising for the incident, stressing that it respects students' freedom to express themselves and communicate in their mother tongue and has never restricted it. It decided to immediately and fully withdraw the controversial guidelines and discuss with student leaders, graduating students and parent representatives to redraft new guidelines, "so that every student can freely record and share the beautiful moments of campus life in a sincere voice."

🗣️ Respecting Students' Mother-Tongue Expression; School Imposes No Restrictions
In its statement, Good Hope School said it has always respected the mother tongue, and students may freely express themselves and communicate smoothly in their mother tongue, which the school has never restricted. It described "biliteracy and trilingualism" as having long been part of the school's heritage, which it cherishes immensely. It also said that language is not only a medium of communication, but also a cradle of memory, a carrier of emotion, and the lifeblood of cultural inheritance.

🙏 School Describes Incident as an "Oversight," Takes Full Responsibility
Regarding the widespread public concern caused by the "Graduating Class Video Production Guidelines" and the confusion and doubts brought to students, parents, alumni and various sectors of society, the school described it as an "oversight," saying, "Our school bears an inescapable duty, and we offer our sincere apologies and take full responsibility." It also expressed deep gratitude for the tolerance and understanding of all parties. The school has immediately and fully withdrawn the guidelines and is consulting with student leaders, graduating students and parent representatives to redraft them, in order to rebuild the mutual trust that both sides cherish. "A campus is a place of learning, where listening and reflection should take precedence."

📧 Principal Had Apologised by Email, Saying Guidelines Did Not Reflect School Policy
An online post a few days ago cited the guidelines, saying the school required graduates to "strictly prohibit" Cantonese in graduating class videos and to record narration in English or Mandarin narration with English subtitles. If Cantonese was found, it would be muted. Principal Gary Harfitt subsequently sent an email to students and parents apologising, saying that the unmodified guidelines, including inappropriate wording, were "regrettably sent to Form 6 students," and stressed that the content did not reflect school policy or the actual situation, nor was it the actual arrangement for the graduation ceremony.