Following the viral images and videos of a teacher at a Woodlands preschool beating and manhandling toddlers, the Singapore Police Force have since gotten involved and are investigating the incident.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang GRC, Poh Li San, said in a statement on her Facebook page that she understands the teacher in question has been dismissed, and confirmed that the Police and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) are currently investigating.
She added that she is also assisting the parents of the affected children and urged those who require assistance to reach out to her.
The ECDA also confirmed that the teacher has been dismissed, according to The Straits Times, and added that they will be working with the centre to make sure the children enrolled there are safe.
Sembawang MP Poh Li San’s Statement
“Dear residents and parents of children attending Kinderland @Woodlands Mart, I understand your concerns and worries related to the videos of a certain teacher rough-handling and smacking children, that are circulating online. Such unprofessional acts certainly cannot be condoned and the staff must be brought to task.
I understand that the teacher has been dismissed and investigations by ECDA and the Police are currently ongoing. I am assisting parents of affected children. Please send me a private message or send me an email on [email protected], should you require assistance.
Meantime, please take care and we will do our best to assist the parents and children affected.”
Parent of toddler in video speaks out
According to The Straits Times, the parent of one of the 2-year-old girl seen in the video being forced to drink water, was told that the principal had told her that the teacher, Ms Li, had used “a bit of force” to get her daughter to drink water.
She didn’t think much of it as the school told her that Li didn’t mean any harm, but it was only when she saw the video that she realised the seriousness of the incident and how the school had “downplayed” the incident.
The mother also added that she cried when she saw her daughter being mistreated so badly by the teacher, and added that she had also lodged a police report on Monday.
