Fanny Law
Encyclopedia
Fanny Law GBS
, JP
, was a high-ranking civil servant in Hong Kong. She held the posts of Secretary for Education and Manpower
(until 2002), Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower (until 2006). In late 2006, she was appointed ommissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption|Commissioner of the ICAC of Hong Kong.
Law resigned from the post following a government inquiry into interference with academic freedom at the Hong Kong Institute of Education
while she was Permanent Secretary.
in 2002, because of former Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa
's ministerial reforms.
In early January 2006, two teachers committed suicide, three other teachers' suicides in 2005 were blamed on job-related stress. Law rejected causal connections between the deaths by suicide of two teachers due to education reforms, saying: "If the prime reason [for the deaths] is education reforms, why have there been only two teachers who have committed suicide?" Her comments caused a furore among teachers and the public. She apologised on 10 January for her "inappropriate" remarks about the suicide of the two teachers. 7,500 – 15,000 teachers held a protest on 22 January against Law and the educational reforms. Raymond H.C. Wong was appointed to replace her.
announced her appointment as Chief Executive. Law declined the post in February 2009, after the government barred her from working in education-related work until 2011. There are fears over potential conflicts of interest
: this decision was linked to the public consultation on post-service employment of civil servants following the row over Leung Chin-man's appointment
to a local property developer.
Hong Kong honours system
The existing Hong Kong honours system was created after transfer of government of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China as a special administrative region in 1997...
, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, was a high-ranking civil servant in Hong Kong. She held the posts of Secretary for Education and Manpower
Secretary for Education and Manpower
The Secretary for Education is a principal official in the Hong Kong Government, who heads the Education Bureau . The current office holder is Michael Suen.-History:...
(until 2002), Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower (until 2006). In late 2006, she was appointed ommissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption|Commissioner of the ICAC of Hong Kong.
Law resigned from the post following a government inquiry into interference with academic freedom at the Hong Kong Institute of Education
Hong Kong Institute of Education
The Hong Kong Institute of Education is one of eight subsidised tertiary institutes under the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong. It is the only one dedicated to teacher education....
while she was Permanent Secretary.
Government career
Law joined the Government as an Executive Officer in September 1975. She transferred to the Administrative Service in October 1977. Between February 1991 and April 1994, she served as Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service. Between April and November 1994, she was Deputy Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands. In November 1994, she was promoted to Senior Assistant Director and later Deputy Director, Housing Department. Law headed the Chief Executive's Office from January to July 1997; and was made Commissioner for Transport in August 1997. She was made Director of Education in November 1998, and secretary for education and manpower in 2000. The post became Permanent SecretaryPermanent Secretary
The Permanent secretary, in most departments officially titled the permanent under-secretary of state , is the most senior civil servant of a British Government ministry, charged with running the department on a day-to-day basis...
in 2002, because of former Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa
Tung Chee Hwa
Tung Chee Hwa, GBM was the first Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China....
's ministerial reforms.
Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower
During her term of service, Law was responsible for large-scale reforms in education, Law was often criticized by educators who thought her ideas were out of touch with realities on the ground. Some of her public speeches also provoked controversies; teaching union representatives called for her resignation on several occasions.In early January 2006, two teachers committed suicide, three other teachers' suicides in 2005 were blamed on job-related stress. Law rejected causal connections between the deaths by suicide of two teachers due to education reforms, saying: "If the prime reason [for the deaths] is education reforms, why have there been only two teachers who have committed suicide?" Her comments caused a furore among teachers and the public. She apologised on 10 January for her "inappropriate" remarks about the suicide of the two teachers. 7,500 – 15,000 teachers held a protest on 22 January against Law and the educational reforms. Raymond H.C. Wong was appointed to replace her.
Commissioner, ICAC
Law resigned from her post at 20 June 2007 after the HKIEd probe accused her of interfering with academic freedom.Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
In December 2008, the Tung Wah Group of HospitalsTung Wah Group of Hospitals
The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals , with a long history from 1870, is the oldest and the largest charitable organisation in Hong Kong. Their education Services and Community Services to the community with a total of 194 service centres spreading over the territory of Hong Kong.Although it appears a...
announced her appointment as Chief Executive. Law declined the post in February 2009, after the government barred her from working in education-related work until 2011. There are fears over potential conflicts of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
: this decision was linked to the public consultation on post-service employment of civil servants following the row over Leung Chin-man's appointment
Leung Chin-man appointment controversy
The Leung Chin-man appointment controversy occurred in Hong Kong in August 2008, when the former Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Leung Chin-man was named Deputy Managing Director and Executive Director of New World China Land Ltd....
to a local property developer.