A pupil from Sengkang Green Primary School has been caned after being found to have bullied a female classmate, said the Ministry of Education (MOE) on 20 August 2025. The disciplinary action came after a series of troubling incidents, including death threats sent to the victim’s mother, that resulted in three Primary 3 boys being suspended.
The case first came to light when Facebook user Ni Yin posted on 14 August 2025 about her nine-year-old daughter being bullied over several months. Her post included an audio clip sent on 26 July 2025, in which a boy hurled vulgarities and made chilling threats against her family. The threats followed her earlier complaint to the school regarding her daughter’s experiences of bullying.
The audio recording contained explicit death threats, with the speaker saying: “I might dissect her into pieces… Choose one. If not, I will kill you and your husband.” Alarmed by the severity of the threats, Ms Ni filed a police report and alerted the school, MOE, and her Member of Parliament. The police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
MOE issued a public statement on 20 August, saying the school had acted in a timely manner at every step. According to the ministry, whenever incidents were reported, the school addressed them promptly, imposing firm disciplinary measures while also working to rebuild friendships and guide the pupils involved.
The ministry also disclosed that the girl herself had on some occasions used hurtful words, including racial and offensive slurs, against classmates. These incidents were also handled by the school, with counselling and corrective measures put in place.
The timeline of events reveals how the situation unfolded:
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End-April 2025: The girl reported a boy for using an offensive slur. As she too had used a slur, both were asked to apologise.
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July 25: She again reported inappropriate behaviour, including being touched without consent. The school prepared to change her seat and investigate further.
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July 26: The mother reported prank calls and threats. The three boys were pulled from class, suspended immediately, and their parents informed. The school also outlined plans to separate the girl from the boys and enhance supervision.
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July 30: The girl used a racial slur against a classmate, who retaliated by spraying water at her. Both were counselled.
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August 7: The girl was bruised after a pupil swung his bag into her. Investigations confirmed it was not deliberate.
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August 12: One pupil was caned.
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August 18: A four-hour meeting took place between the school and the girl’s parents, who eventually agreed she would remain at the school under a safety plan.
Despite these steps, Ms Ni had posted allegations on Facebook ahead of the meeting, claiming the school did not take sufficient action. MOE stressed that her post contained a one-sided account, which caused further distress to pupils and teachers by triggering online attacks and doxxing.
The ministry emphasised that it takes a firm stand against bullying and hurtful behaviour. While acknowledging parents’ anxieties, MOE urged them to work with schools instead of amplifying disputes online, as public posts can worsen the situation for children and hinder efforts at reconciliation.
This case has sparked renewed debate about bullying in schools. MOE statistics show that on average, there are two cases of bullying per 1,000 primary school pupils and six cases per 1,000 secondary school pupils annually, covering both in-school and out-of-school incidents.
The ministry reiterated that while it will always act firmly against bullying, it is equally important to teach children accountability, empathy, and the ability to repair relationships. The Sengkang Green Primary case is now being closely monitored, with disciplinary measures in place, counselling ongoing, and the police investigating the threats made against the victim’s family.
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