SINGAPORE: Netizens voiced strong reactions to Education Minister Chan Chun Sing’s comments on bullying in schools, with many expressing frustration over what they perceived as the Ministry of Education’s failure to adequately address the issue.
Minister Chan reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) firm stance against bullying but cautioned against social media-driven vigilantism, warning that it could escalate school conflicts rather than resolve them.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (4 Feb), he addressed concerns over two recent incidents at Admiralty Secondary School, which went viral on Facebook.
He stressed that reactions based on incomplete information could be harmful.
“No one should be bullied. No one wants to be bullied. And no one should bully,” he said.
However, he also warned that heightened sensitivities had led to an increase in social media vigilantism, which normalises extreme reactions and hinders rehabilitation efforts.
He pointed out instances where adults had threatened school staff or targeted students, calling such behaviour unacceptable.
“This is wrong,” he stated firmly.
While such incidents are rare, they consume significant time and resources.
Minister Chan urged parents to allow schools to handle matters professionally, adding, “Without the full facts, let us not speculate or jump in to complicate matters further.”
Recent Bullying Incidents Addressed
Clarifying a 7 January case where a student sustained a head wound, Minister Chan said it was an altercation between two Secondary 1 students rather than a bullying incident.
“One student struck the other on the head with a plastic water bottle,” he explained, adding that the form teacher intervened immediately.
The injured student received first aid before being taken to the hospital. He has since returned to school, while the other student was suspended.
The school is providing counselling and will take further disciplinary action if necessary.
“The school acted appropriately,” Minister Chan said, adding that efforts would be made to restore the relationship between the two students.
He also addressed the 2023 case of a student who fell from height, expressing condolences and stressing the complexities surrounding suicide.
“MOE is deeply saddened by this loss, and our condolences are with her family and loved ones,” he said.
Rejecting criticisms against Admiralty Secondary School, he asserted that allegations against the school overlooked the extensive support provided to the student and her family.
He emphasised that MOE prioritises confidentiality and support in such cases.
Netizens: “Vigilantism Won’t Happen if Schools Effectively Address Bullying”
The Minister’s comments sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with over 850 comments on the Facebook pages of The Straits Times, CNA, and Mothership.
Many netizens voiced frustration over what they perceived as the Ministry of Education’s failure to adequately address bullying. They argued that if schools and the Ministry of Education (MOE) had properly addressed bullying, vigilantism would not have emerged in the first place.
One user commented that the issue lies in whether the school takes action in the first place, as some teachers simply push the problem away.
The user questioned whether parents should just wait and watch after engaging with teachers and argued that if authorities do not want vigilantism among parents, then schools must be proactive and work with the police to address bullying.
Another commenter expressed frustration over the issue, stating that if MOE had done its due diligence and taken the necessary steps to punish bullies, there would be no need for vigilantism.
The user also claimed that even principals and teachers have been caught ridiculing bullying victims, adding that once the situation reaches this stage, there is no reason to protect the school management.
Some users pointed out that the perceived lack of transparency and action from schools was the main reason vigilantism occurs.
One user stated that vigilantism happens when schools are not seen taking appropriate action against bullying.
The user added that if schools were proactive, transparent, and handled bullying cases properly, it would reduce the need for vigilantism.
Another user criticised the government’s handling of the issue, arguing that if the authorities were effectively dealing with bullying and violence, such actions would not be happening outside of schools.
The user stated that while being gracious is important, there must also be policies that work, which the current ones clearly do not.
Parents Have the Right to Intervene
Netizens also disagreed with Minister Chan Chun Sing’s statement that parents should let schools handle bullying and fighting cases without intervening.
Many argued that when it comes to their children’s safety, parents have the right to step in.
One user commented that parents intervene because school principals are ineffective in handling bullying cases, often attempting to cover up incidents while the Ministry of Education (MOE) does not take the issue seriously.
The user stated that parents are forced to resort to social media, and leaving everything to schools will only encourage more speculation, since no one else will ensure justice is served.
Another user questioned the Minister’s remarks, asking what he meant by letting the school handle it.
The commenter argued that it is not the school’s child who is being bullied or abused, so parents have every right to interfere.
The user pointed out that some bullying cases have resulted in victims taking their own lives, stressing that it is easy to dismiss the issue when it has not personally affected one’s own child.
Others pointed out that schools alone should not bear the responsibility of tackling bullying.
One user commented that just because bullying happens in school does not mean schools are the only ones responsible.
They argued that parents need to discipline their children when they bully others, and parents of victims need to protect their children.
The user also called for stricter action from the authorities, stating that the Ministry should take a firm stand and enforce harsher punishments for bullies.
One user expressed concerns about schools and MOE covering up incidents.
They wrote that parents have every right to protect their children, as leaving it solely to the school and MOE increases the risk of cover-ups.
They shared a personal experience working as an operations manager in a school with disciplinary issues, claiming that school leaders would try to cover up incidents, refuse to report them to MOE headquarters or the police, and persuade parents to drop the case to protect the school’s reputation.
Another user argued that parents must step in, especially in cases where children are seriously injured or have lost their lives due to bullying.
The commenter criticised how schools typically handle such situations, stating that, at the end of the day, the school just wants both sides to shake hands and be friends.
Demands for Harsher Punishment for Bullies
Many netizens questioned when the Ministry of Education would take concrete steps to address bullying and called for harsher punishments for bullies, arguing that the current measures were inadequate.
One user commented that statements alone do not address the fact that bullying remains a serious problem in schools. They suggested that the minister should share a concrete plan to tackle the issue instead of just making public assurances.
Another user criticised the lack of action, arguing that merely talking without taking action against bullies would only encourage further bullying.
They pointed out that this approach does not align with how education should work.
Having experienced bullying themselves, they emphasised the need for decisive steps to stop bullies effectively, stating that discussions alone would make no difference.
Some commenters expressed frustration over the lack of firm consequences for bullies. They argued that as long as bullies are not held accountable, more students will continue to suffer.
One user asked, “How many more deaths and assaults by school bullies do we need before MOE takes concrete action?”
They called for tougher measures, including sacking principals and disciplinary masters who fail to act, expelling bullies, and placing them in juvenile detention centres where they can continue their education while learning discipline.
Another user criticised the government’s approach, arguing that its focus on rehabilitation rather than deterrence has allowed bullying to persist.
The user stated that bullies should face harsh punishment to deter future offenders from committing similar acts.
However, they felt that the government was more focused on giving bullies a chance to reform, which they described as a waste of time.
Some users also called for harsher disciplinary measures within schools to send a stronger message to potential offenders.
One commenter argued that instead of making statements and conducting investigations that favour schools and the ministry, authorities should take more proactive steps to address bullying and assault cases.
They suggested reintroducing public caning, suspending students involved in bullying, and imposing heavy fines on parents to ensure accountability and deter future incidents.
The overwhelming response from netizens suggests that existing measures are insufficient, and they continue to demand stricter action to prevent further bullying incidents.