29-8-203 (SINGAPORE) Several parents have made the decision to withdraw their children from Kinderland Preschool at Woodlands Mart in Singapore after disturbing videos depicting alleged abuse by a teacher surfaced on social media. The videos show the teacher handling children roughly and attempting to force them to drink water against their will. In one video, a child can be seen crying loudly as the teacher forcefully holds their head back. Another video shows the teacher placing a child on the floor and seemingly pouring water into their mouth while they are lying down. The most alarming video captures the teacher shouting at a child and repeatedly striking them with a book.
Upon learning about the circulating videos, concerned parents took immediate action. When visited by reporters from Channel NewsAsia (CNA), the preschool was seen allowing three individuals, including two individuals wearing police lanyards, to enter the premises. However, these individuals declined to comment on the matter. Subsequently, the 33-year-old teacher involved in the alleged abuse was arrested, as announced by the police in a news release on Tuesday.
The revelation of the abuse has prompted parents to reflect on their experiences with the preschool. A father, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that he had already harbored concerns about the school based on his personal encounters. He recounted an incident where his child contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), and he discovered that other parents had not been informed. The father expressed dissatisfaction with the school’s protocol, claiming that the principal had informed him that only two HFMD cases would warrant informing other parents. This revelation only deepened his existing reservations about the school. Having been enrolled for approximately seven months, the father believes that the teacher in question was responsible for his child’s infant care class and has thus submitted a withdrawal notice for his 10-month-old.
Similarly, another parent, Ms. Moon Tan, decided to withdraw her younger daughter from the preschool upon learning about the incident. Although her child was not directly involved in the videos, Ms. Tan recalled instances where her daughter would inexplicably cry when picked up from school. She firmly believes that her child may have experienced abuse as well, despite being unable to communicate her experiences due to her limited language skills. Despite her decision to withdraw her younger daughter, Ms. Tan’s elder child will continue attending the preschool until graduation, which is just a few months away. Ms. Tan expressed her anger and distress over the videos, describing the acts of abuse as “totally unacceptable” and expressing her gratitude for the exposure provided by the circulating videos. She also mentioned that other parents have requested immediate withdrawal of their children from the school without any waiting period.
In contrast, Mr. Fachruddin Dzaki, a parent whose 2-year-old son has been attending Kinderland since infancy, has decided to keep his son enrolled despite condemning the teacher’s actions. Mr. Dzaki acknowledges that not all teachers are involved in such incidents and believes that vigilance is crucial in ensuring the safety of children. He empathizes with the parents whose children were allegedly abused and encourages caution in selecting education centers.
In response to the viral videos, the preschool’s principal, Ms. Mahirah Yasid, addressed the issue through a letter posted on the parents’ portal. The letter, seen by CNA, reassured parents that the school takes the matter seriously and that appropriate actions are being taken. The preschool is working closely with the authorities during the investigation process. The principal emphasized the importance of the children’s well-being and safety, expressing deep regret over the incident.
