STOMPer Ethereal is shocked that a boy was given a drastic haircut by a teacher from his secondary school. She thinks the teacher acted like a 'barbarian', and worries the incident might scar the boy psychologically.

According to an article in today's (Jan 7) New Paper, a mother was shocked when her son SMSed from school to say he was getting his hair cut.

When she reached the school (Springfield Secondary), there were uneven patches on his head, and it looked as if it had been unprofessionally cut. The woman was so upset she called in the police and later complained to the Ministry of Education.

The STOMPer elaborates:

"I read with great disgust an article published in the New Paper dated on Jan 7 (Saturday edition).

"What the mother did is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!!

"My heart goes all out to the anguished mother and her traumatised son. 14 years of age is a vulnerable period. If there is no proper counselling and corrective action given to the boy, it will have a negative impact on his psychological well-being when he reaches adulthood.

"Springfield Secondary acted more like a barbaric institution than a place for nurturing the young minds of our country. What is the point of giving assurance that such incidents will not be repeated when the damage has already been done?!

"According to the article, the spokesperson for MOE and 2 'veteran' so-called principals stated that every school has its own policy on disciplining students about hair issues. So with this statement, the public would deduce that each school in Singapore is given the freedom to discipline its students according to their whims and fancies?!.

"That teacher who cut the boy's hair drastically, and the allied educator who made the boy write the statement for 2 hours, are deemed and perceived to be unfit for the education system of Singapore. Bear in mind this is Singapore and we are well known for our elite world-class education system.

"I feel a proper written apology must be made to the poor boy and his mother. If the school can torment the boy to write a 2-hour statement for his hairstyle, what is the use of an apology letter to the boy and his mother?!

"The teacher who acted like a barbarian and the allied educator should face disciplinary action from their employer, i.e. MOE. As for the principal she has to be assessed on her job performance.

"They, the tormentors of Springfield Secondary, should be thankful that they were not brought to court for inflicting psychological damage on an adolescent.

"This is the year 2012, and not the 1960-80s where pupils in primary and secondary schools were treated like dirt!"