Parents should let schools handle fighting or bullying cases: Chan Chun Sing

It is one thing for kids to fight, quite another for adults to jump in and take sides, he says

- Gabrielle Chan

Parents are understandably anxious when their children are involved in fighting or bullying, but they should let schools and the authorities handle these cases without speculating or stepping in to complicate matters, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) does not disclose details of such incidents or the child's family circumstances out of respect for their privacy, and due to the "sensitive nature of these matters", he said in Parliament on Feb 4.

He was responding to questions by Progress Singapore Party Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa, who had asked about two incidents at Admiralty Secondary School that came to light in January. In both cases, the school has taken disciplinary and restorative actions, he added.

On Jan 7, a 12-year-old boy from the school in Woodlands allegedly attacked his classmate, who suffered a cut on his head and was taken to the hospital.

In his reply, Mr Chan noted that MOE's preliminary investigations showed that this was an altercation and not an incident of bullying.

"An altercation happened between two new Secondary 1 students... between periods. This resulted in one student striking the other on the head with a plastic water bottle, giving rise to a cut on that student's head," he said.

"The form teacher intervened immediately on witnessing the scene, and separated the students. The injured student received first aid for the cut on his head, while the school leaders called for an ambulance to convey him to hospital."

The school ensured the victim received timely medical care, kept in communication with his parents, provided learning support, and is assisting the police with investigations.