Chong: Don't use fear to discipline children

JOHOR BARU: Parents and teachers should take a more modern approach in disciplining young children rather than instilling fear by caning them, says Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon (pic). 

He stressed that parents and teachers should not be using fear to control children but instead explain their mistakes or “ground” them.

Chong, who is also MCA Youth chief, said that education centres should not operate on the sole reason of raking in profits and that it was important for educators to have a passion for educating young minds and a genuine love for children.

It was reported on Friday that an eight-year-old was allegedly abused by her tuition teacher, who apparently caned her for being a slow-learner and not completing her homework.

The pupil's stepfather claimed that she had welts on her hands and legs when she arrived home from the centre in Malacca at about 7.15pm on April 12.

"Since a police report has been lodged, we will let the authority to investigate and take the necessary action," said Chong after launching the Gatorade Johor 3X3 Basketball Challenge at Danga Bay on Saturday.