SINGAPORE: On 8 January 2026, Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) issued a response to local media denying allegations that it had penalised students for speaking to the media about its new canteen programme.
The clarification followed online claims that nine students were issued demerit points after commenting publicly on the quality of bento meals provided under a new SATS-operated catering arrangement.
According to the school, no students were disciplined or reprimanded for voicing opinions about the canteen food, and feedback was not discouraged.
However, the response has come under intense scrutiny from netizens, many of whom argued that it failed to address core concerns raised by parents and students.
Online critics said the school did not directly explain screenshots circulating on social media that appeared to show a teacher warning students against participating in the controversy.
Screenshots of teacher’s message circulate online
One screenshot showed a message advising students “not to participate in the canteen food controversy” and warning: “Please do not circulate photos, messages and social media posts – we know what the consequences are.”
The same message stated that students required both parental and school consent before speaking to the media.
The controversy began with online discussions about bento meals served at HCI, after images circulated showing food in turquoise trays consisting of rice, vegetables and a protein item.
The images sparked debate over portion size, nutritional value, value for money, and concerns about centralised catering replacing traditional canteen choice.
HCI defended its new hybrid canteen model, stating that a photograph circulating online did not accurately reflect typical food offerings or portion standards.
The school added that the bento meals were provided by SATS and designed by certified nutritionists.
A SATS spokesperson said the meals complied with Ministry of Education and Health Promotion Board guidelines, balancing students’ nutritional needs with safety and quality standards.
Students contradict school’s initial defence
However, this account was challenged by reporting from Channel NewsAsia (CNA).
When CNA interviewed nine students outside the school on Wednesday morning, the students said the photographs accurately reflected the food being served.
This directly contradicted the school’s earlier statement that the images did not represent actual food standards.
Following CNA’s report and other media coverage, further screenshots allegedly taken from a teacher’s message began circulating on platforms such as Reddit.
In addition to the warning about “consequences”, another screenshot claimed that five students had received severe warnings for speaking to the media.
Separately, a Reddit post alleged that nine students had been punished with five demerit points each for commenting publicly on the canteen food.
School says message was for student well-being,clarifying communication and feedback channels
Responding to these claims, an HCI spokesperson told CNA that the message was issued “out of concern for our students’ well-being while reminding students to be responsible in their online activities”.
“The reminder was not meant to discourage students from sharing their views or offering feedback through appropriate channels, nor were any students penalised or reprimanded for voicing their opinions,” the spokesperson said.
The school added that it would work with teachers to ensure that messages to students are “conveyed clearly” to avoid misunderstandings.
“We value our students’ perspectives and encourage them to share their thoughts directly with the school so that concerns can be addressed constructively,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson also said that any media engagement involving students is coordinated with the school and parents to safeguard students’ well-being.
Netizens question credibility of HCI’s response, citing contradictory and intimidating tone
Despite this clarification, online reaction remained largely sceptical.
Across CNA and The Straits Times comment sections, as well as Reddit discussions, many questioned the credibility and intent of the school’s response.
A dominant view was that the clarification amounted to damage control, with some describing it as “gaslighting” and arguing that it made the situation worse.
Netizens highlighted what they saw as a contradiction between the alleged instruction to “keep your opinion to yourself” and later claims that feedback was never discouraged.
Others argued that the school was engaging in wordplay by reframing a message perceived as threatening as a benign reminder about responsibility.
The emphasis on “consequences” and “compliance” in the alleged message was widely criticised as intimidating.
Several commenters likened the tone to military-style language, reinforcing perceptions of authoritarianism rather than open dialogue.
Some defended students’ right to speak out, noting that they pay for the food and should be allowed to express dissatisfaction publicly.
Others took the view that complaints should be channelled internally and not aired on social media.
There were calls for greater transparency, clearer explanations of responsibility, and, in some cases, higher-level intervention to review how student feedback is handled.
Alumni accuse HCI of prioritising reputation over students’ welfare
Some alumni criticised the school for consistently placing institutional reputation above students’ interests, describing such behaviour as long-standing rather than exceptional.
They alleged that students’ conditioned obedience enables controversial conduct by staff with little accountability, citing past incidents such as an anti-LGBT talk.
An comment argued that the episode mirrors a wider “adult world” culture in Singapore, where silence is enforced through rules, contracts and fear of consequences.
The Reddit user suggested the school was effectively conditioning students early to accept suppression of dissent in service of institutional and political priorities, rather than encouraging independent thought.
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