Timothy Ha
Encyclopedia
Timothy Ha Wing-ho MBE
, JP
(Chinese
: 夏永豪, Pinyin: Xia Yonghao), born in 1937, is the former Supervisor and Principal of St. Paul's College
, Hong Kong
, as well as Education Secretary of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (Hong Kong Anglican Church (Episcopal)) and Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Sponsoring Bodies of Schools. Ha, who is in his late 60s, is still a prominent figure in the education sector of Hong Kong and has recently been very outspoken, in particular concerning the government’s proposed education reforms.
Timothy Ha received his early education in Munsang College
and Diocesan Boys' School (DBS). He was then admitted to The University of Hong Kong, where he studied history. Upon attaining his BA
degree, he started his career as a teacher in DBS, in 1960. In 1968, Ha was appointed Principal of St. Paul’s College, which is the flagship school of the Anglican Church and oldest educational institution in Hong Kong, and also the alma mater
of his father and grandfather.
Under Ha’s leadership, St. Paul’s College underwent several major projects, including renovations and restructuring of the school premises as well as changes to the school management and funding structure, by participation in the Direct Subsidy Scheme
in 2002.
Outside St. Paul’s College, Ha has also been very active in education-related policy making. He has served as either chairman or member of many education-related committees. In 1991, he was appointed a member of the Legislative Council (i.e. legislature of Hong Kong) by the then Governor
to serve a four-year term. In 1994, Ha was involved in an incident concerning his expenses claim of public funds to buy electronic Bibles. Ha managed to withstand media criticism, but had not gone for a second term in the LegCo as all appointed seats in LegCo were turned to elected seats in 1995.
Timothy Ha was also involved in tertiary education. He took part in the establishment committee of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
. Indeed, he was the one to give the university its current name. He has been a member of the Court of The University of Hong Kong.
As the Education Secretary of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, he has been responsible for the education policies of the Anglican Church, which is currently the second largest sponsoring body of schools, after the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong
. Recently, the government has suggested major education reforms including the restructuring of school governing boards and the taking over of school management controls. Ha, representing the Anglican Church, joined the outspoken Bishop Zen Ze-kiun of the Catholic Church in opposing the School-Based Management Policy
reforms, including threatening to take legal actions to deter the government’s initiatives.
Timothy Ha was originally expected to retire as Supervisor and Principal of St. Paul’s College in August 2005, after 37 years of service. However, the Principal-elect abruptly turned down the offer in June 2005 and Ha was expected to continue to serve for at least one more academic year, even after the hosting of a farewell dinner in his honour on July 9, 2005. On December 19, 2005, Ha announced that he shall be retiring on March 1, 2006, and Dr. John Richard Kennard
will succeed his principalship.
Ha was appointed a Justice of the Peace
in 1986 and was honoured with an MBE
in 1989.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, 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...
(Chinese
Traditional Chinese character
Traditional Chinese characters refers to Chinese characters in any character set which does not contain newly created characters or character substitutions performed after 1946. It most commonly refers to characters in the standardized character sets of Taiwan, of Hong Kong, or in the Kangxi...
: 夏永豪, Pinyin: Xia Yonghao), born in 1937, is the former Supervisor and Principal of St. Paul's College
St. Paul's College, Hong Kong
St. Paul's College is an Anglican day school for boys in Mid Levels, Hong Kong and is located adjacent to University of Hong Kong. Established in 1851, it is the oldest secondary school in Hong Kong that is still in operation...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, as well as Education Secretary of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (Hong Kong Anglican Church (Episcopal)) and Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Sponsoring Bodies of Schools. Ha, who is in his late 60s, is still a prominent figure in the education sector of Hong Kong and has recently been very outspoken, in particular concerning the government’s proposed education reforms.
Timothy Ha received his early education in Munsang College
Munsang College
Munsang College is an EMI Hong Kong college founded by Mr. Au Chak Mun , Mr. Mok Kon Sang and Dr. Ts'o Seen Wan in 1926. It has 6 houses: Love, Tak, Chi, Tai, Kwan, May.-Mission statement:...
and Diocesan Boys' School (DBS). He was then admitted to The University of Hong Kong, where he studied history. Upon attaining his BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree, he started his career as a teacher in DBS, in 1960. In 1968, Ha was appointed Principal of St. Paul’s College, which is the flagship school of the Anglican Church and oldest educational institution in Hong Kong, and also the alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
of his father and grandfather.
Under Ha’s leadership, St. Paul’s College underwent several major projects, including renovations and restructuring of the school premises as well as changes to the school management and funding structure, by participation in the Direct Subsidy Scheme
Direct Subsidy Scheme
The Direct Subsidy Scheme is instituted by the Education Bureau of Hong Kong as a means to enhance the quality of private schools in Hong Kong at the primary and secondary levels...
in 2002.
Outside St. Paul’s College, Ha has also been very active in education-related policy making. He has served as either chairman or member of many education-related committees. In 1991, he was appointed a member of the Legislative Council (i.e. legislature of Hong Kong) by the then Governor
David Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn
David Clive Wilson, Baron Wilson of Tillyorn, is a retired British administrator, diplomat and Sinologist. Lord Wilson of Tillyorn was the penultimate Commander-in-Chief and 27th Governor of Hong Kong...
to serve a four-year term. In 1994, Ha was involved in an incident concerning his expenses claim of public funds to buy electronic Bibles. Ha managed to withstand media criticism, but had not gone for a second term in the LegCo as all appointed seats in LegCo were turned to elected seats in 1995.
Timothy Ha was also involved in tertiary education. He took part in the establishment committee of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a public university located in Hong Kong. Established in 1991 under Hong Kong Law Chapter 1141 , it is one of the nine universities in Hong Kong.Professor Tony F. Chan is the president of HKUST...
. Indeed, he was the one to give the university its current name. He has been a member of the Court of The University of Hong Kong.
As the Education Secretary of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, he has been responsible for the education policies of the Anglican Church, which is currently the second largest sponsoring body of schools, after the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong
Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong
The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong is a Latin Rite ordinary diocese of the Catholic Church headed by Bishop John Tong Hon. Though the bishop is subject to the Roman Pontiff, he is not the vicar of the latter: he governs it in his own name. The diocese takes its name from the see city, the community...
. Recently, the government has suggested major education reforms including the restructuring of school governing boards and the taking over of school management controls. Ha, representing the Anglican Church, joined the outspoken Bishop Zen Ze-kiun of the Catholic Church in opposing the School-Based Management Policy
School-Based Management Policy
The School-Based Management Policy is an education policy within the Education Ordinance of the Education Bureau in Hong Kong. The policy was made law when The "Education Ordinance 2004" bill was passed by Legco in July 2004...
reforms, including threatening to take legal actions to deter the government’s initiatives.
Timothy Ha was originally expected to retire as Supervisor and Principal of St. Paul’s College in August 2005, after 37 years of service. However, the Principal-elect abruptly turned down the offer in June 2005 and Ha was expected to continue to serve for at least one more academic year, even after the hosting of a farewell dinner in his honour on July 9, 2005. On December 19, 2005, Ha announced that he shall be retiring on March 1, 2006, and Dr. John Richard Kennard
John Richard Kennard
John Richard Kennard is a noted educationalist and Principal of St. Paul's College, Hong Kong. Part of the Central and Western District of Hong Kong, St. Paul's College is located adjacent to the main campus of the University of Hong Kong. Founded in 1851 by the Anglican Diocese of Victoria, St...
will succeed his principalship.
Ha was appointed a Justice of the Peace
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...
in 1986 and was honoured with an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1989.