Christian Zheng Sheng College is a private school in Hong Kong established by the Christian Zheng Sheng Association (ZSA). Its founder and principal is Chan Siu Cheuk (Alman Chan). The school aims to correct problematic students with drug addiction and other problems using life education.
History and funding
The college was established in 1985 as a drug addiction treatment centre, and registered as a private school in 1998. The college is Hong Kong's only educational establishment dedicated to helping reform young drug offenders. As a private school, it does not receive any subsidies from the Education Bureau. Public donations make up less than 10 percent of the funding needs. According to press reports, teachers are paid 80% of their salaries, the principal is paid 60% of his salary, and the budget for each student is only one-third of that for special students at subsidised institutions. School fees and boarding fees from the school are the main revenue source for the Zheng Sheng Association, but the ZSA revealed that school operated on a break-even basis in aggregate over the past 11 years.
Gossip magazine Next Magazine created a stir when it published allegations that the ZSA had investments valued at HK$35.2 million (US$4.5 million) in the mainland and Japan, some of which are said to be "questionable". The Association subsequently said that its investments in restaurants, tea houses, and farms serve as employment venues where its students can obtain work experience. It explained it had registered its business address, now the site of a brothel, in 2007 but had relocated following a change of operations but had neglected to amend the registration. The ICAC raided the offices of the Association, the school and Alma Chan's residence on 21 August. Documents were taken away as part of their investigation. Next continued to allege that Zheng Sheng's charities were fake, that subsidiary operation in Japan is a business entity engaging in real estate investments, its elderly home in Chaozhou is badly run and vacant, and that children at its orphanage in Henan starve from time to time and are often forced to do labour. Heung Yee Kuk chief Lau Wong-fat has also called on the government to launch an investigation into the Christian Zheng Sheng College drug-rehab-school saga.
The school is now considering separating its accounts from its parent organisation said board member Professor Daniel Shek Tan-lei. Shek has also requested the return of documents taken by the ICAC. Professor Daniel Shek is involved in many aspects of this saga. He is a board member of the Christian Zheng Sheng College and the chairman of ACAN, the Action Committee Against Narcotics the governmental body that advises the Hong Kong Narcotics Bureau. It was ACAN in June 2009 that proposed the move of the Christian Zheng Sheng College to the Mui Wo area. Professor Shek has also, in his role as ACAN Chairman been responsible for significant fund raising for the Christian Zheng Sheng Association. Professor Shek also continues to be a member of the ICAC Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations .
In December 2009, Shek resigned from its board to eliminate the risk of conflict of interest; principal Alman Chan said that the average monthly donations to the association had fallen to about HK$70,000 a month compared to about HK$110,000 before the investigation, and said that this would affect the annual Lunar New Year visit by a group of mainland orphans to Hong Kong.
On 22 March 2010, ICAC wrote a written statement to the college informing that ICAC didn't find any evidence of fraud or corruption. ICAC had ceased further investigation and closed the case. Furthermore, ICAC apologised for causing public anxiety towards the college.
Students
The existing school can accommodate 30 students; as of June 2009 there are 123 students. 90% of its students were ordered to enter the school by court verdict, and most are former drug addicts, with others having committed smuggling, theft and other crimes. The students strive to correct themselves to prepare for a new life in the society. Students with good performance may re-enter conventional secondary schools elsewhere in Hong Kong. According to Principal Alman Chan, 90% of the school's Form 5 graduates do not return to drugs, and most have no problem finding jobs.
The majority (100 out of 120) of students receive funds from the Hong Kong Government. According to the Social Welfare Department receives about HK$1 million of taxpayers money each month. The money is meant to support around 100 of the 120 students, with each getting around HK$10,000 in dole payments.