In a concerning incident in Singapore, a female tutor is facing scrutiny after allegedly purchasing an e-cigarette for a 13-year-old girl, who was subsequently caught with the device at school. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is now investigating the matter following a report from the girl’s school, as detailed by Shin Min Daily News.
Background of the Case
According to Shin Min Daily News,The girl’s father, identified only as Zhu, sought a tutor through an agency in 2024 to provide Chinese language lessons for his daughter, who was in Primary 6 at the time. The tutor would visit the Zhu household every Monday, conducting lessons in the girl’s room with the door closed. Despite nearly a year of tutoring, Zhu expressed disappointment that his daughter’s Chinese grades did not improve after she transitioned to secondary school, and he noted that she seemed to be developing undesirable habits.
Discovery of the E-Cigarette
On May 21, Zhu received a call from the discipline master at his daughter’s secondary school, informing him that she had been found in possession of an e-cigarette. Upon questioning, it was revealed that the girl had asked her tutor to help her purchase the device online. Zhu was shocked to discover chat records between his daughter and the tutor, which indicated that the tutor had indeed bought the e-cigarette and sent screenshots to the girl. The transaction reportedly took place on May 19, with the girl planning to pay the tutor S$78 during their next lesson.
Concerns Over Tutor’s Conduct
Zhu expressed his belief that the tutor should have known better than to fulfill the girl’s request. After confronting the tutor, Zhu claimed she initially denied the allegations but hung up and blocked him once he mentioned having seen their chat records. Further investigation revealed that the tutor had only conducted three proper lessons, spending the majority of her time chatting with the girl and even purchasing snacks and cosmetics for her. Zhu lamented that his daughter’s failing grades were not solely her fault, as the tutor had not been taking her teaching responsibilities seriously.
HSA Investigation and Legal Implications
Following the incident, the school reported the matter to the HSA, which is now investigating the case. In Singapore, the importation, distribution, or sale of e-cigarettes and their components is illegal. First-time offenders can face fines of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, while repeat offenders may incur fines of up to S$20,000 or face up to a year in prison.
Response from the Tutor Agency
Zhu also reported the situation to the tutoring agency, SmileTutor. After conducting its own investigation, the agency decided to remove the tutor from its roster, acknowledging the seriousness of her actions. SmileTutor stated that it is aware of the incident and is taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In light of the situation, Zhu has taken proactive measures to educate his daughter about the dangers of e-cigarettes and has begun regularly checking her school bag. He has also made it a point to keep the door open during her tutoring sessions to ensure transparency. Zhu noted that his daughter had mentioned that some of her classmates had been using e-cigarettes since primary school, highlighting a broader issue that needs to be addressed.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the responsibilities educators have in safeguarding the well-being of their students.
Images Source: Shin Min Daily News