In response to media enquiries, an ICAC spokesperson confirmed that in the course of a corruption investigation, the Commission had earlier (June 12) arrested the principal of a government-aided primary school and the operator of a tutorial centre on suspicion of corruption over leakage of internal examination papers of the primary school. The duo had been released on ICAC bail.

During the ICAC operation, examination papers belonging to the primary school were seized at the tutorial centre. The examination papers included those involving different classes of the third school term and covering various subjects. Initial inspections revealed that the contents of the worksheets of the tutorial centre were largely the same or similar to the school examination papers seized. ICAC inquiries are continuing.

The ICAC will continue to maintain close liaison with the Education Bureau and the Incorporated Management Committee of the primary school, both of which have rendered full assistance to the Commission during its inquiries. In view of the on-going investigation, it is not appropriate for the ICAC to make further comments.

The ICAC has all along attached great importance to school integrity management. Schools are recommended to establish codes of conduct, including provisions to prohibit unauthorised disclosure of proprietary information. Detailed recommendations are available from The Best Practice Checklist on Governance and Internal Control in Schools published by the ICAC.