In a city that worships academic achievement, the plagiarism scandal that has befallen Modern College and 23 of its students is an embarrassing episode for Hong Kong academia. The focus has now shifted to the examination authority, after four of the students claimed their teacher had permitted them to cheat on the Diploma of Secondary Education exam.
Educators are in a position to influence their students and must remember they are not merely teaching a curriculum, but a way of life.
They spend eight out of a possible 18 waking hours a day with students, a number that should remind all teachers of their commitment to teaching excellence.
So who should take the blame for the scandal?
By tolerating academic dishonesty, the teacher set an unfortunate example for students to follow
All students involved have been denied spots at Hong Kong’s universities, a punishment that is a severe blow to their future prospects. Assuming that the students are telling the truth, the outed teacher should also be penalised for failing to serve as a responsible educator. It is fitting that I refer to the words of Voltaire, or Spider-Man for the superhero junkies: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
The most important duty for a teacher is to instil a passion for learning and critical thinking in a student. The daily routine of classes, tutoring and homework can be draining for any student, and it is a challenge to remain engaged if the teacher is merely spewing course-related facts.
