Alleged bullying at primary school leaves 11-year-old hospitalised, mother seeks accountability

SINGAPORE: A troubling incident at a primary school in northern Singapore has brought school bullying to the forefront, as an 11-year-old boy alleged being pushed, punched, and kicked by a fellow Primary 5 student. This event, reported by 8world, resulted in injuries requiring hospital treatment and sparked ongoing concern over the frequency of bullying in schools. The incident unfolded on 8 September during an oral examination in the school canteen. The boy reportedly slipped after touching a newly painted wall and shared this with classmates. Moments later, another student, reportedly older and physically larger, approached him and demanded details about the incident. When the victim did not respond, he was verbally insulted before being pushed to the ground and assaulted. Teachers intervened after the report was made and administered first aid before moving him to the school office for further care. The mother, Ms Chen, 46, described her distress when she noticed swelling on her son’s head that evening, coupled with dizziness and nausea. She immediately took him to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a minor concussion. The mother also reported the case to the police, which was later confirmed by authorities. Ms Chen told 8world News that, although her son’s alleged attacker is also in Primary 5, as a foreign student, he is one to two years older than his classmates and is noticeably taller.

Education Minister: Bullying incidents steady over 5 years

This incident adds to a string of similar cases. In September, a video of a Bukit View Secondary School student being taunted and kicked circulated online, leading to police involvement. A week later, footage emerged of a Qihua Primary School pupil being attacked by an older boy, resulting in the arrest of five teenagers. More recently, in October, a Meridian Secondary School student reportedly suffered a ruptured eardrum after an attack by schoolmates. According to the Ministry of Education (MOE), the number of reported bullying incidents in Singapore has remained “steady” over the past five years. On average, there are two incidents per 1,000 primary school students and six incidents per 1,000 secondary school students annually. These figures encompass all forms of bullying, both on school premises and offsite. In Parliament, Minister Chan Chun Sing responded to concerns regarding the adequacy of bullying reporting channels. He emphasised the importance of empowering students to report troubling incidents and assured that systems are in place to facilitate communication between affected students and adults. “We want to give people and students the confidence that if you are in doubt, where you feel troubled, you should be able to use the existing channels to report it to the adults and then have the adults work with the students to see how they can mend the relationships and move the relationships forward,” Minister Chan said.

Ms Chen's efforts for resolution stall despite appeals to school and authorities

For Ms Chen, despite continued engagement with the school and appeals to authorities, including her local Member of Parliament, resolution remains elusive. Although the other boy’s parents reportedly apologised to the school, Ms Chen noted they had not extended the gesture to her or offered to cover medical expenses. The mother hopes for an apology and compensation for medical costs, expressing her primary wish that the event spurs change and fosters a safer school environment. 8world has reached out to the school and the MOE for further comments on the matter.