Hong Kong education authorities have asked a school to submit a report after claims emerged online that a teacher and a female student spent a night drinking together in a room during an exchange tour to mainland China.

The school in question has rejected the claims as being “inconsistent with the facts” and stressed it attached great importance to teachers’ professional ethics and students’ physical and mental health.

An online forum post suggested the teacher at the secondary school was seen inviting one of his Form Five students to his room for drinks during the tour in May. The girl allegedly stayed in his room overnight.

The post claimed the school only temporarily suspended the teacher and the student, without reporting the incident to the Education Bureau.

In a statement posted on its website on Friday, SKH Li Fook Hing Secondary School at Tsui Wan Estate in Chai Wan said it was aware of the allegations circulating online but stressed that “the relevant content is inconsistent with the facts”.

The statement did not say which part of the contents of the post were incorrect, but said: “After receiving the information earlier, the school immediately followed up and dealt with it seriously according to established procedures.

“Our school has arranged teachers and social workers to provide support and counselling to students. The school has always attached great importance to the professional ethics of teachers and also strives to care for the physical and mental health of students.

“The school will continue to uphold its educational mission and cultivate students’ growth.”

A spokesman for the school could not be reached for further comment on Friday.

The Education Bureau said on Friday it had been notified of the allegations and the school had activated a crisis management team to respond.

“The Education Bureau has asked the school to submit a report and will maintain close contact with the school to provide appropriate advice and support,” the bureau said.

It added it attached great importance to the professional ethics of teachers and warned that it would take appropriate action if any breaches were found, including disqualification if the cases were serious.