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Bullying Case in Mee Toh School

Published Date: 06 April 2020 12:00 AM

News Parliamentary Replies

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Jurong GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) what is the outcome of the investigation into the alleged bullying case in Mee Toh School; and (b) whether there will be a review of the standard operating procedures in place or specific training for school staff to respond to such bullying cases.

Response

1. Schools will always take a serious view on bullying. Mee Toh School has investigated the incident, and the few students responsible for the acts have been counselled and disciplined.

2. Our primary approach is to help children understand their mistakes and to restore relationships. In this case, the principal made them revisit the incident, with them standing in the shoes of the victim. This made the wrongdoers truly regret their actions. They had to apologise in person to the victim. The students were also disciplined, but MOE prefers not to disclose the details here.

3. The school also engaged the parents of the wrongdoers. They all understood the seriousness of their children’s actions and supported the school’s action.

4. The school has observed that the students have interacted well after the school-facilitated reconciliation sessions.

5. MOE’s assessment is that the school has SOPs in place to deal with bullying incidents. In this case, the Form Teacher and school had acted without delay, and the follow-up actions were appropriate.

6. MOE will further strengthen our efforts to educate our students against bullying in our schools. The 2021 revised CCE Curriculum will teach pro-social behaviours, respect, care, and empathy. It will encourage those adversely affected by bullying to seek out help without fear of stigma. MOE will also support all schools in establishing a peer support culture so that every student understands that bullying is wrong, and learns how to extend help and support to those who have been bullied.