Hong Kong’s development chief has hailed the conservation of a school building in Sai Ying Pun as an example of how the public and owners can work with authorities to conserve the city’s heritage for future generations.

Writing on his official blog on Sunday, Secretary for Development Michael Wong Wai-lun noted that the 80-year-old building was among three structures declared as monuments last month under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. The listing means they cannot be demolished or modified unless permission is given by authorities.

The Bonham Road Government Primary School moved into the building in 2000 and Wong argued that its occupancy had helped ensure conservation of elements of the structure, as well as educate pupils about its history and characteristics.

“The conservation of historical buildings cannot rely solely on the government’s input of resources,” he said. “[The government] must work with various stakeholders of society, including private historical building owners and the general public, to strengthen overall awareness and importance of historical building conservation.

Secretary for Development Michael Wong.

“I am particularly grateful to colleagues in the Antiquities and Monuments Office and the teachers, students, parents and alumni of Bonham Road Government Primary School for their dedication to preserving this monument.”

Built between 1940 and 1941, the building initially housed Northcote Training College, which was the city’s first institution devoted solely to training teachers. It served as the headquarters of the Japanese military police during the second world war.

The city’s development chief has praised the conservation of the school as an example for future efforts.

From 1962 to 1971, the building was used by Chinese University’s United College, which later moved to Sha Tin. The grounds were then handed over to the renamed Northcote College of Education, which was later amalgamated into the Hong Kong Institute of Education, the predecessor of the Education University of Hong Kong, until 1997.

The building is considered to be a rare surviving example of a structure that served both primary and tertiary institutions.

Wong earlier visited the site with heritage officials and spoke with various school members about the conservation effort.

Principal Man Lai-ying told Wong teachers had created worksheets and other activities to teach pupils about the school’s history and architectural features.

“We are now a historic monument, so we added elements of heritage conservation to our school-based curriculum,” Man said.

The school has served numerous purposes over the years, including as the headquarters of the Japanese military police during the second world war.

A recent graduate said that by taking part in project studies he had deepened his understanding of the need to preserve historical buildings.

“I also learned about how to protect the building and its structures,” the teenager said.

The main building is a three-storey concrete structure with a basement laid out in an E-shaped arrangement comprising a long centre portion and a wing on each end.

The main building is a prominent example of the Streamline Moderne style of art deco in Hong Kong.

Other examples include Central Market, Wan Chai Market and the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier.

The basement also contains two air raid shelters from the war that are now being used as a library and an activity room.