Former Principal Chia Hai Siang recently posted a Facebook status that started off with #howisthisnotbullying that highlights his thoughts on the video that surfaced earlier this year.
According to Mr Chia:
- The incident was resolved to the satisfaction of all the parties involved, including the parents
- The whole class initiated and planned their own service learning project during Shuqun Secondary School's open house. Working together, they prepared brownies and drinks for visitors to showcase the Hideout Cafe - a student initiative.
- The students told Mr Chia that they wish to "make restoration for the bad reputation they had brought to the school."
This main issue that Mr Chia wished to convey was not about how the incident occurred, but the media's reaction to it.
In his post, Mr Chia remarked that,
"It is not difficult to see how these biased reports might have fed some of the extreme online vitriol. These included many threats by netizens such as 'if i see the boy, I will bash his skull in', 'let me give him a taste of his own medicine.' "
He highlighted examples of reporting with a certain slant, where articles are written with an emphasis on certain matters while downplaying others in order to present a more compelling story that aims to attract more readers.
Read on to see what are theAsianparent's thoughts on this!
"You have the power to report the full truth and shape opinion, not just pander to the lowest denominator in the hopes of representing yourself as the mouthpiece of the public. Be mindful of the innocent parties that you might be unintentionally hurting, and the feelings of hatred you might be stoking online."
Here are the things we can take home from Mr Chia's words:
#1 Trust the school and the proper authorities to do what is right. Do not be a vigilante and attempt to resolve matters yourself.
#2 Do your best to find out the whole truth. More often than not, an incident has more to it than it seems.
#3 Remember that there is an actual human being on the other side of the screen. The comments you post will be read by people, and subsequently affects them.
#4 Believe in your child, and develop a close relationship with your child. Trust between the 2 of you is key in situations such as this. He will know to speak to you if he is being bullied and trust that you will do the right thing.
#5 Be grateful to the teachers out there! This occupation should have more love. Teaching the future generation, they are the individuals who devote long hours to better our children.
We at theAsianparent wish to thank every teacher out there for their hard work!