Pre‑School Teacher Faces Jail After Rough‑Handling a Six‑Year‑Old
The story of a 51‑year‑old teacher from a Singapore pre‑school turns a quiet, routine naptime into a nightmare for a child with special needs. The incidents that unfolded in December 2020, and the subsequent legal drama, highlight the serious consequences of abuse and dishonesty in child‑care settings.
Who’s Involved?
- Teacher: The accused, a Mandarin instructor who began teaching in 2013.
- Victim: A six‑year‑old boy with delayed speech and likely autism (diagnosed back in 2017).
- Witnesses: A colleague who heard the boy crying, and a camera that captured the entire episode.
What Went Down
It was a typical afternoon: the teacher, who had been supervising the learners since 12:30 PM on 2 December 2020, was trying to coax the boy to sleep. She had no lunch and was already feeling drained.
Within minutes of the naptime start, the teacher:
- Grabbed the boy by the shoulders and pushed him so he rolled off his mat.
- Dragged him by the left arm across the floor while pulling his ears and scratching his neck.
- Repeated this rough handling for more than five minutes, pulling the boy’s ears again as he tried to escape.
Because of her poor conduct, the boy ended up crying, and a camera on the premises caught every moment.
Aftermath and Legal Consequences
- The teacher lied to a maid when she came to pick up the boy, claiming she’d “accidentally” scratched him. The mother later noticed multiple scratches, filed a complaint, and forced the school to step in.
- Once the footage was shown to the principal, the teacher eventually confessed to rough‑handling the child.
- The boy was sent to the hospital on 4 December for medical treatment, and the school covered his bills.
- On 21 July, the teacher was arrested by the police and posted a $10,000 bail.
- She will be back in court for sentencing on 11 January. Her conviction on ill‑treating the child could lead to a jail term of up to eight years and a fine of up to $8,000.
Key Takeaways
For educators, this case is a stark reminder that:
- Child safety is paramount—responsibility cannot be taken for granted.
- Truthfulness isn’t optional; deceit can damage the trust placed in you.
- When incidents occur, transparency and immediate steps to rectify the situation are critical.
Final Thoughts
In the end, hope for the boy remains strong thanks to the school’s efforts and a vigilant community that demands the highest standards of child care. Let this serve not just as a story of wrongdoing but as a call to action for all caregivers to practice empathy, restraint, and honesty in the safe havens they build for little ones.
