When I was at the primary school, some of our teachers were as fierce as lions. If we were slightly retarded and did not answer the question in time, those teachers would roar loudly. Although we were afraid, but we still greet, respect and talk to them after that.

When I completed the first semester of my primary one study, I was then after famous amongst the teachers in both my conduct and examination results. But, an incident happened when I was at primary three. I was not aware of my exercise book being used up. Therefore I could not do my homework. I was then punished by the teacher by beating my backside. It was a terrible experience. The teacher did not give chance although I was a fine exemplary pupil.

I did not tell my parents. During those days, most of us were born in poor families. One fathers had to make money to bring us up. Our mothers had to take care of us and be busy in housework. Although they were not that well educated, they respected the teachers. If we got the punishment in school, it meant we were bad. So we kept quiet in order not to get another punishment at home.

When my son was at primary four few years ago, he had an incident. He was admitted to the hospital. I received a call from the principal next morning. She told me that she had talked to the boys involved in the incident and she had to can my son too. She explained to me what happened. I told to my son to confirm the matter. Then I asked the principal to go ahead with the punishment.

I then wrote a letter to thank the principal for giving good guidance to my son. I discussed with my son on the letter when he returned home. He handed the letter through his teacher to the principal on the following day.

But the mother of the pupil who caused injury to my son called the principal who made a complaint. She asked the principal why should her son apologised three times to my son! From the explanations of principal and my son, I understood that the pupil who apologised did not say loud enough in the class.

Actually, when the day my son and I returned to the school after the medical examination, the two boys who caused the incident were still in the school office. They apologised to me. The boy who caused the injury to my son could not stop crying when he saw my son, his best friend, returned to school with an injured nose.

My son and I always discussed incidents happened in Singapore schools when he was young. He heard about my childhood and school days. He agreed that the Ministry of Education (MOE) should be aware of the right ways of concerning the pupils. They should be guided to be a good person and appropriate discipline action should also be taken. If MOE and unreasonable parents pampered the children too much, we would have a lot of rotten apples.

Be strict with our children. Bring them up properly. That is family education!