Sengkang Green Primary School suspends three students after death threats; mother disputes school's claims

Online Citizen​

19 hours ago

A Primary 3 bullying case at Sengkang Green Primary School has escalated into public controversy after a student's mother, Ni Yin, revealed that she received graphic death threats shortly after reporting abuse her daughter allegedly faced for nearly six months.
In a detailed Facebook post on 14 August 2025, which has since garnered thousands of shares and over 250,000 views, Ni wrote:
'I never imagined that one day I would have to seek justice for my daughter in this way… This is not only about my child – it could happen to any child in a Singapore family.'
She claimed her nine-year-old daughter was the victim of repeated verbal and physical bullying by three male classmates since early 2025. The abuse reportedly included racial slurs, mockery, and shoving, with school staff allegedly taking no meaningful action despite multiple reports by the victim.
Bullying escalated into death threats
Ni reported that on 24 July 2025, her daughter came home from school visibly distressed and said: 'Mummy, I don't want to go to school anymore.'
After coaxing her to open up, Ni said she discovered that her daughter had been placed in the last row of the classroom, seated beside two of the boys accused of bullying her.
Her daughter was allegedly afraid to speak out earlier for fear of retaliation.
Despite Ni's request to change her daughter's seat, the school allegedly rejected the move, citing confidentiality concerns. She expressed her disbelief, telling Lianhe Zaobao on 16 August:
'难道我得上法庭才能把见男生家长吗？'
('Must I go to court just to be allowed to meet the parents of the boys?')
On 26 July, just hours after Ni submitted a formal written complaint to the school, she began receiving harassing phone calls from unknown numbers. In one voice message, allegedly from one of the accused boys, a voice said:
'I might dissect her… I might dissect her into pieces like you. So which one do you want me to do? Dissect her? Or end her life in school? Choose one… I will kill you instead and your husband.'
In a Facebook comment, Ni stated that during a meeting with the school management on 28 July, she showed the voice message to the Vice-Principal, year head, and form teacher.
She wrote: 'After VP's investigation, I was told clearly by VP, it is one of the bully boy's mother who shared my phone number, and she admitted. I have evidence for this.'
Another threat, as reported by Lianhe Zaobao, included a remark that the student wanted to 'find a knife and stuff her [the daughter] into a plastic bag.'
Ni reported the incident to the police, Ministry of Education (MOE), and their Member of Parliament (MP). The Singapore Police Force confirmed to media outlet CNA and Zaobao that a report was made.
Physical assaults continued on school grounds
Ni claimed that even after the police report was filed, her daughter was assaulted on school grounds on three separate occasions: 1, 6, and 7 August 2025. She said the school was unaware of the incidents until she informed them directly.
On 7 August, Ni said her daughter returned home with a visible bruise on her arm, crying and fearful. According to her, the teachers responded by saying they were unaware of the situation and that the child should have 'reported it herself.'
Ni stated her daughter is now too afraid to return to school, and has been absent since 11 August, receiving professional psychological support. She added that the Vice-Principal told her the school 'could not guarantee' her daughter's safety, leading her to prioritise her daughter's mental well-being.
School's response and growing backlash
On 15 August, the school confirmed to CNA that it had suspended the three students involved in making threats. It said the students had been counselled and would face further disciplinary action — including possible caning — pending police investigations.
The school also claimed that its internal investigation found that Ni's daughter had also 'engaged in hurtful behaviours.' In response, the school said:
'This too will be addressed to ensure the students continue to learn the values of respect and responsibility.'
Ni reacted to this statement with a public rebuttal on 16 August, stating that the school was attempting to shift blame onto the victim.
'I was shocked to read that the school claimed my daughter 'had also engaged in inappropriate behaviour that harmed others'… This deeply harms the victim, diverts public attention, and shifts blame onto the child.'
She demanded that the school provide all evidence supporting the allegations.
'If my daughter did engage in misconduct, I will not cover it up and will fully support MOE's procedures. But if the school cannot provide solid evidence… I reserve the right to take legal action.'
Ni further questioned why the school never informed her of any misconduct if it had indeed been aware. She added that her daughter had a clean record, had served as PE Captain, and was awarded a government scholarship, noting:
'Why now, after the bullying incident became public, does the school suddenly raise allegations of misconduct?'
Student's own written plea ignored
A photo from the mother published by Zaobao shows the daughter's English workbook, in which she wrote:
'Sorry teacher, can I change seat? I cannot take it anymore.'
Ni said this written plea for help was ignored by the teacher, despite it being a direct call for support. She took this as further evidence of the school's inaction and failure to protect her daughter.
Demands and wider concerns
In her open letter, Ni requested:
An immediate school transfer for her daughter. Disciplinary action and counselling for the students responsible. Accountability for school staff who failed to act. A transparent, trackable anti-bullying reporting system across schools.
She concluded:
'From beginning to end, my demand has been simple: that children be able to study and grow in an environment that is safe, respectful, and just. This is not only my daughter's right — it is the most basic right of every student.'
Ni also referenced a 2021 suicide case at the same school, questioning whether systemic failures in school management might be responsible for repeated tragedies.
Other parents allege broader pattern of bullying
Following Ni's post, other parents shared their concerns in the comments. A parent alleged that his two children at the same school have been 'victims of bullying… with bruises almost on a weekly basis.'
'There's a big commotion now in the parents support group chat,' he wrote. 'Educators mostly sweep everything under the rug with minimal follow-ups.'
He also mentioned seeing police cars near the school recently and claimed to have written to the school with no meaningful response.
As of 17 August 2025, the MOE has not released a formal response.