X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

Pre-school teacher suspended for “humiliating punishment”

13 Jul, 2016
Pre-school teacher suspended for “humiliating punishment”

“His response to me on what happened, in a very firm tone, ‘he wants to die.’ He said he felt like dying when entire class laughed at him.”

Educating children is just one of the many responsibilities a teacher has. In the absence of their parents, children look to their teachers for guidance and nurturance in the school setting.

One teacher in Singapore, however, seemed to miss this memo by setting a bad example for her students.

In a Facebook post by a father named Eric Cheong, he accused one teacher at Zoo-phonics School’s Serangoon Central branch for punishing his son in a “humiliating” manner.

Identified only as “Ms. Theresa,” the teacher allegedly made Eric’s son stand in front of the class for sporting long hair. Not only that, she forced him to wear a girl’s hair clip, “much to the amusement of all the other kids.”

Eric also said that Ms. Theresa threatened to repeat the action the following day if his son didn’t cut his hair.

“I brought my son home, settled him down and tried to reassure him,” his Facebook post said. “His response to me on what happened, in a very firm tone, ‘he wants to die.’ He said he felt like dying when entire class laughed at him.”

According to a Straits Times report, Zoo-phonics director Vincent Teoh has since issued a temporary suspension for Ms. Theresa and that there is also a pending investigation of the matter.

Once the investigation is complete, the school plans to arrange a meeting between Ms. Theresa and Eric’s family.

Read the Facebook post in full on the next page

Mr. Vincent Teoh has also said that the school “does not condone any form of ridiculing a child in front of the class as a form of punishment.” Guilty teachers will be “counseled and reprimanded.”

While the school director said that they do not have any rules when it comes to their students’ haircuts, teachers “may have different expectations on what constitute a neat hair cut.”

“It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that their child has a reasonably neat hair cut,” said Vincent Teoh. “In the meeting, Mr. Cheong did say he was not free when he was asked by the child to have his hair cut.”

On the other hand, he also said that Ms. Theresa has been receiving letters of commendations from other parents since she joined the school in 2011, and that “majority of the parents” want her to stay with the school.

In Eric’s Facebook post, which has been shared more than two thousand times, he said: “I sincerely believe fair punishments are necessary to maintain discipline in class. A simple verbal warning or even standing for a period of time is acceptable.

“But to humiliate a kid, made to wear a classmate’s hair clip in front of the class, is totally unnecessary and intolerable in a school environment.”

Partner Stories
Wish You Were Here: Family-friendly Outdoor Activities To Do In Hong Kong
Wish You Were Here: Family-friendly Outdoor Activities To Do In Hong Kong
Globe FamSURF199: Fast, affordable, and family-friendly internet connection
Globe FamSURF199: Fast, affordable, and family-friendly internet connection
IKEA celebrates the joys of motherhood
IKEA celebrates the joys of motherhood
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!
Next-Gen Ford Everest: 6 Reasons Why This Is Your Family's Next Dream Car!

READ: Teachers reveal the moment they knew their students were trouble     

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below or check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful parenting news and tips . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.comPhilippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Lifestyle Section
  • /
  • Pre-school teacher suspended for “humiliating punishment”
Share:
  • Unwrapping Joy: 5 Pinoy inspired Christmas party games for the family

    Unwrapping Joy: 5 Pinoy inspired Christmas party games for the family

  • Tips on how to save money on your household budget

    Tips on how to save money on your household budget

  • 5 Money saving tips to keep your budget on track during the holidays

    5 Money saving tips to keep your budget on track during the holidays

  • Unwrapping Joy: 5 Pinoy inspired Christmas party games for the family

    Unwrapping Joy: 5 Pinoy inspired Christmas party games for the family

  • Tips on how to save money on your household budget

    Tips on how to save money on your household budget

  • 5 Money saving tips to keep your budget on track during the holidays

    5 Money saving tips to keep your budget on track during the holidays

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it