Police Probe Over Shocking Sex‑Education Talk at Hwa Chong
Things got a bit sketchy at Hwa Chong Institution this week when a school counsellor delivered a sex‑education lesson that crossed the line, sparking a police investigation. According to the authorities, the talk contained wobbly claims that discriminated against the LGBTQ+ community.
What Went Down
The controversial session took place last Wednesday (July 13) and was aimed at the Secondary 4 cohort. The counsellor, who has now been slapped with a reprimand and temporary suspension, made a number of outrageous statements that have left both students and parents scratching their heads.
Unverified Claims That Made the Headlines
- “A majority of homosexuals have problems with intestinal worms.”
- “A large proportion of them are paedophiles.”
These assertions were never vetted or approved by the school—yet they slipped through the cracks and were shared widely across social media.
Police Are on the Job
On Friday (July 22), the police confirmed they were following up on a string of reports, but they haven’t yet disclosed who raised the alarms or which laws could be at stake. It’s safe to say they’re treating this as a serious matter.
Current Status
The counsellor has been suspended from teaching anything related to sexuality. The school has yet to give an official statement, and the investigation is underway.
For now, students are waiting for the school to clear the air, while the police do their due diligence. One thing’s for sure: a lesson on “sex” can’t slip past the curriculum gate unchecked.
<img alt="" data-caption="The presentation was given by a staff member as part of an assembly session for HCI's secondary four students.
PHOTO: Reddit/Singapore” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”b9900d40-a6aa-41b2-a30e-9b3616515ad8″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/ezgif.com-gif-maker_0.jpg”/>
LGBT+ Rights in Singapore: More than Just a Buzzword
In March, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam knocked on Parliament’s door once again to drive home a simple truth: Singapore’s laws are designed to protect everyone, regardless of who they love or who they are.
What’s New in the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act?
The Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA) got a makeover in October 2019. The update added a pretty blunt line: attacks on LGBT+ folks because of their identity or on LGBT+ groups are now a crime—and the government will not stand for it.
- It’s an offence to provoke violence because of religion or stir up hostility toward a group.
- The explanatory notes broaden the definition of a “target group” to include atheists, certain racial communities, people with similar sexual orientations, and even foreign workers or new citizens.
Though the law is on the books, it’s still a few steps away from shaking hands with reality—will it be in force ’til the end of the year, who knows?
Why the Hold‑up? System Testing & Officer Training
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) says the delay is all about getting things tight and tidy. They’re fine‑tuning reporting systems and training officers on how the law will actually roll out on the ground. The Ministry also wants to make sure that religious organisations are in the loop before the law goes live.
“When it comes to protecting LGBT+ people, the government has made it crystal clear: violence, abuse, or harassment is absolutely off‑limits, no matter who the victim is,” the spokesperson emphasized.
What Else Looms on the Legal Horizon?
Beyond the MRHA, Singapore’s Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act (Poha) already spell out crimes that include hurting or threatening LGBT+ individuals. Poha even blends civil and criminal measures to keep hate‑filled antics in check.
SMU Law Professor Weighs In
Professor Dane Tan from Singapore Management University points out that depending on the exact details, police can investigate under Poha Section 4—dealing with harassment, alarm, or distress caused by how someone presents themselves. That can include situations where an LGBT+ person might: be in the audience, be affected, or be the target.
He cautions, however, that not every act of intolerance has to break into the criminal arena. The real crux is how to address the behaviour—especially when the individual in question is a counsellor working with impressionable teenagers.
“The bigger goal isn’t whether the act broke the law; it’s about guiding the counsellor to see the error of his ways and stopping these discriminatory actions before they spread,” Professor Tan said.
Takeaway
Singapore’s legal arsenal—MRHA, Penal Code, and Poha—is tightening up around LGBT+ protection, even though implementation takes a little patience. Meanwhile, public officials and legal minds are‑quick to point out that a law’s true power lies in the day‑to‑day actions of everyone—from teachers to officers to law‑makers.
