Who wants HK$85 milllion? Not Lam Yat-yanA tutorial school is attempting to poach a star teacher from a rival school in the city. They published an open invitation in Chinese-language newspapers, promising the teacher an annual salary package of HK$85 million.
Modern Education on Thursday published a full-page advert in two Chinese-language newspapers, titled "An Open Letter to Teacher Lam Yat-yan".
Modern Education promised Lam an annual wage of HK$85 million if he joins Modern Education after his contract with Beacon College ends next year.
The letter also said that Modern Education would offer Lam a four-year contract that would allow him to take 65 per cent of the school's profits if his classes attracted more than 20,000 students a year.
They also offered Lam HK$1 million each year to help pay for his advertising and promotion costs.
Modern Education ended the letter by saying: "We sincerely hope you will accept our invitation. If you have any questions, just contact us directly."
Beacon College has plans to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
But even though it's a lot of money, Lam didn't seem tempted.
Responding on Facebook on Thursday, Lam said: "I'm still the same person … my school and I have a good partnership, working hard together to build an ideal education platform. So, I am willing to stay in a working environment that is fair and reasonable and shares the same mission as mine.
"I believe I have the ability to make a living for myself and my family. An extra HK$50 million, HK$80 million makes no difference to me."
Beacon College's website says that Lam teaches Chinese in the tutorial school. He graduated with first-class honours from the department of Chinese language and literature at Chinese University.