Stephanie Tan urges neutral body for school bullying cases, reiterates call to make PSLE optional

SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Central Executive Committee member Stephanie Tan has called for a neutral authority to oversee school bullying cases, arguing that inconsistent handling by individual schools erodes trust among parents. She also reaffirmed her stance that the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) should be optional to reduce stress on children. Tan made the remarks on 3 September during the Ya Lah But podcast hosted by Haresh Tilani and Terence Chia, where she discussed recent bullying incidents and broader issues in the education system.

Handling of school bullying

As a full-time caregiver to her two children, Tan said bullying cases reported in the media are only a fraction of what occurs in schools, with many remaining unpublicised. She noted that the Ministry of Education (MOE) has cautioned against publicising such cases, citing risks of doxxing and escalation. Tan stressed that the key issue lies in management. Parents entrust schools with their children’s welfare, but trust is eroded when cases are not investigated fairly or swiftly. If schools fail to act effectively, parents may escalate matters publicly, she added. To address this, Tan proposed that bullying cases be managed by a neutral body that monitors investigations to ensure fairness and consistency across all schools. She suggested that MOE could establish a dedicated department for this role. “Right now every school does it differently,” she said, adding that inconsistency leads to varied outcomes and inefficiency. She argued for a streamlined process that would ensure alleged victims are protected during investigations, including measures such as separating the bully and victim where necessary. Tan also emphasised the need for interim measures to reassure parents that their children are safe while cases are under review. Without such steps, parents may feel compelled to remove their children from school, potentially affecting their education.

On parents’ role and possible legal action

When asked whether parents should pursue civil claims in bullying cases, Tan said such action was legally possible but should be proportionate to the severity of the incident. She acknowledged that teachers often try to resolve conflicts through counselling, but warned that when boundaries are crossed, stronger action may be necessary. Tan stressed the importance of daily conversations with children to identify potential issues early. She noted that some children are less forthcoming, making parental vigilance essential to prevent cases from escalating unnoticed. Tan, a law graduate from the National University of Singapore, previously served as legal counsel at the Ministry of Defence. Earlier, in a Facebook post on 18 August, she addressed the high-profile Sengkang Green Primary case, in which a mother alleged that her daughter had faced prolonged bullying and later received death threats after lodging complaints. Tan called for stronger measures against school bullying, stressing that “good practices” alone are insufficient to protect students. She urged the introduction of a transparent process for handling complaints, to be applied consistently across all schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).

Views on PSLE

Turning to the PSLE, Tan reiterated her belief that the examination should be made optional. She argued that subjecting children as young as 10 or 11 to high-stakes testing is inappropriate and imposes unnecessary stress. She added that with the rise of artificial intelligence, the education system must evolve beyond heavy reliance on memory-based examinations. Instead, she suggested greater emphasis on preserving creativity, problem-solving, and risk-taking, qualities she believes children naturally possess until constrained by rigid testing. “Too many exams take away creativity because children study for marks and become afraid of making mistakes,” she said. Tan acknowledged that parents and social pressures contribute to the stress surrounding the PSLE, particularly with the proliferation of online chat groups that heighten competition. However, she argued that the mere existence of the examination ensures that anxiety will persist among parents. She also highlighted that while PSLE has served past generations well, policies must adapt to societal change. Alternatives, such as varied forms of assessment used in other countries, could achieve the benefits of PSLE without its drawbacks.

Balancing policy ideals with human nature

When asked how she approaches policymaking, Tan said she believes policies should weigh both pros and cons rather than remain rigid. Using the PSLE as an example, she noted that while the exam serves as a milestone, its negative impact on mental health and family stress must also be considered. She said policies must evolve alongside societal needs and recognise aspects of human nature, such as parents’ tendency to worry about their children’s academic future. In the recent General Election (GE2025), he contested as the PSP candidate for Pioneer SMC. The seat was won by the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Patrick Tay with 65.42 per cent of the vote, while Tan received 34.58 per cent.