Bullying at school is nothing new

Bullying at school is an age-old problem and many took the "children will be children" attitude towards the problem. Bullying is about one thing: the strong taking unfair advantage of the weak. The problem exists in all schools. And now it seems teachers and principals are turning into bullies too.

MP Lily Neo and chairperson for Government Parliamentary Committee for Education said, " School bullies are increasing and becoming bolder, brainier "

My son Jaymes was a victim of school bullying, from primary to secondary school. He was small in size and meek. When the bullying started in Primary 2, he didn't dare to tell me. My parents-in-law noticed that his shirt was usually scribbled on and dirtied with coloured crayons. At first we thought he did it or he must have done something to deserve it. But words like 'idiot' and 'stupid' were written on the back of his shirt. I then dismissed it as children's pranks. We advised Jaymes to avoid conflicts with his classmates and to keep a low profile. Obviously he listened because nothing serious happened in his remaining primary school years.

Then when he was in secondary school, the bullying came from his classmates, a few teachers and his principal. One incident happened when he was in secondary one where his form teacher together with the school authorities, sided with another student over our loss of S$4. The form teacher told my husband and I in our faces, our son was 'not Express class material', 'a busybody' and 'a liar'. I was livid and complained to the school which until now, choose to do nothing.

When Jaymes was in secondary 2, I was informed by one of his classmates that he fought in the school toilet. I was very angry and confronted my son.

Turned out there was an Indian boy in his class who was always harassing and hitting him and other smaller built boys, for no reason. He told his form teacher and the Disciplinary Mistress but they did nothing. He didn't dare to tell me because like most schoolchildren he was afraid of reprisals and wary of my hot-temper, that I would turn the school upside-down. haha.....

Jaymes endured for a year and then took up Ninjado, a Japanese martial art. When he was ready, he challenged the Indian boy to a fight. He lost but from then on, the bully didn't dare provoke him any more.

I admit it was probably the wrong thing to do — but I’m not sorry my son had to take matters into his own hands. (Like mother, like son... hehe.....). In fact I think he was very brave to face the bully. I'm glad that he could take care of himself. I pity those who dare not stand up to their bullies and despise those who turn a blind eye to what's happening.

Yes, parents and victims of bullying shouldn't be left to feel the pain and anguish.

School bullying is everyone’s business. It is unrealistic to expect it can be totally eliminated. We can’t eradicate the conditions that turn some children into bullies and others into targets.

But if everyone concerned—teachers, school authorities, police, parents and children—is truly committed to zero tolerance, then there is solid evidence that the amount and the severity of bullying can be reduced dramatically.

What MOE Singapore said on bullying - here and here but schools never follow