SINGAPORE: Three teenagers have been charged after a video surfaced online showing a student being assaulted in a stairwell at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College West.
The 45-second clip, reported by Shin Min Daily News, depicted the victim crouched in a corner as at least two others rained blows on him.
According to the footage, the first attacker, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, started punching the victim.
A second individual in a dark blue shirt then joined in, taking turns to kick and punch the victim.
Several others were present, including one youth standing near the stairwell entrance and another observing from the side. The person filming the assault was also among the bystanders.
The youth in the white shirt was later seen laughing as he picked something up from the staircase and walked towards the exit.
Meanwhile, the assailant in the dark blue shirt continued striking the victim, who remained in a defensive position and did not retaliate.
Teenagers charged over assault
According to court documents seen by Shin Min, three students aged between 16 and 18 were charged on 15 March over their involvement in the incident.
The charge sheet of one of the accused, a 16-year-old, stated that he had participated in an unlawful assembly with the intent to cause harm.
The incident took place at a third-floor staircase landing of ITE College West at around 5pm on 12 March.
It was alleged that the accused, along with two others and three yet-to-be-identified individuals, gathered to harm a 16-year-old boy.
At least one or more of them used violence by kicking and punching the victim.
Under Section 147 of Singapore’s Penal Code, those convicted of rioting can face up to seven years in prison and may also be liable to caning.
The Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) on the Singapore Courts website indicates that the case has been adjourned to 11 April while authorities await the victim’s medical report.
Meanwhile, three others believed to be involved have yet to be dealt with, with cases against them still being tracked.
Growing concerns over school bullying
This is not the first time a school bullying incident has gained widespread attention in Singapore.
In August 2024, a similar case at ITE College Central was brought to light when multiple videos surfaced on social media.
The clips showed a teenage boy kneeling in a stairwell, surrounded by a group of about 10 individuals. He was coerced into kissing a girl’s shoes before being forced to kiss her bare feet.
Following these videos, police confirmed that reports had been lodged, and they were investigating possible offences including rioting, unlawful assembly, and voluntarily causing hurt. Several teenagers involved in the case were subsequently arrested.
Dr Maliki: Bystanders and those who share incident recordings will be held accountable
Beyond the ITE cases, school bullying has been a recurring concern. In February 2025, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced that three Montfort Secondary School students, who were filmed bullying a classmate, would face disciplinary action.
The viral footage showed a student being tripped and kicked by a group of peers.
MOE later clarified that the victim had been involved in a prior altercation with two of the attackers, and that a teacher had initially intervened.
However, the confrontation resumed outside school premises.
On 7 March, Second Minister for Education Maliki Osman addressed bullying incidents in parliament.
He acknowledged that viral videos often present incidents from a limited perspective, leading the public to form emotional and sometimes premature judgments.
He also warned against the role of bystanders who record and circulate such content online, stating that they, too, could be held accountable.
“Bystanders and those who recorded the incident and shared the recordings online will also be called out, consulted, and punished if necessary,” he said.
Dr Maliki stressed that sharing such recordings can worsen the emotional and psychological impact on those involved.
“This is to remind them not to do so to avoid further hurting the ones who are involved and to highlight to them that by sharing their recordings, they are endorsing the acts and are complicit in the act,” he explained.
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