A Hong Kong secondary school has been required by the Education Bureau to submit a report after some of its students and teachers made plans for a class boycott and signed a petition to oppose the looming national security law that the central government is pushing to impose on the city.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the bureau said it received complaints about Pui Ching Middle School and would take the case seriously. It also said that it had followed standard procedures and asked the school to follow up, explain and submit a report on the actions of its students and teachers.

Earlier, a group purported to be students, teachers and alumni of the school published a petition online and in Chinese-language newspapers Apple Daily and Ming Pao to oppose the national security law being tailor-made for Hong Kong. The name of the school’s vice principal also appeared among the signatories.

The bureau also said that a group of students had begun preparations for a class boycott in late May, claiming they had received permission from the school.

The Education Bureau said all academic staff, particularly those in management positions, should not take part in activities, be they on or off campus, that could be misconstrued as representing the school’s official stance. The bureau also called on staff to “act as a good example.”

Hong Kong’s education authorities have recently tightened their grip over political activities held by schools, teachers and students, in an apparent bid to silence opposition toward the looming national security law.

Ho Kin-chung, chairperson of Pui Ching Middle School’s management committee, was quoted by Beijing mouthpiece Ta Kung Pao as saying the committee had met with two academic staff members who signed the petition.

Ho said both staff members expressed deep regret over the impact caused by their actions and pledged to follow the school’s education policies.

He added that the school would counsel students who were involved in the petition.

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