Parents call for teacher to be banned from teaching

KULAIJAYA: A couple is urging the Education Ministry to ban a teacher after she allegedly physically abused their nine-year-old daughter for drinking water without permission during class.

The girl's father, 38-year old Saw Say Wei (pix), said his heart sank at the sight of his daughter's bruises on her bottom and palms when she got home from school on July 1.
"My wife and I were at work in Singapore when my parents-in-law called to inform us that our daughter was badly bruised.

"We quickly went to see the school's headmaster to find out what happened,” he told reporters during a press conference here on Sunday.

Saw, who is a engineering manager, added that the teacher admitted to caning his daughter three times on her bottom and twice on her palm for the sole reason of not seeking permission before drinking water.

"I was furious at the excuse given, so I lodged a complaint at the police station and the district's Education Department,” said Saw. 

He added that although the teacher has since tendered his resignation, he was afraid that the teacher would be transferred to another school.

"I am afraid that the Ministry will just transfer him to another school and another child might become a victim of his violence," he added.

Meanwhile, Senai assemblywoman Wong Shu Qi, who organised the press conference, urged the ministry to ensure that the teacher is banned from all schools.

Wong added that the Ministry should conduct psychiatric tests on educators to ensure that they are competent when it comes to teaching children.