MOE owes S$288 to foreign student

Hou Xiaoran left Singapore on 17th February 2002. Prior to her departure, a letter to terminate her studies in Chai Chee Secondary School was given to her form teacher. Hou Xiaoran's student pass and disembarkation card were returned to Immigration.

On 1st April 2003, I receive a letter from the Finance Division of MOE. Enclosed was a cheque of S$288 for refund of school and miscellaneous fees for Hou Xiaoran. I couldn't believe it.

I called Mrs Ng Kok Leong to inform her that Hou Xiaoran left Singapore a year ago. I asked her how then would the money be returned to Hou Xiaoran. Mrs Ng told me to return the cheque. The money would not be returned as Hou Xiaoran didn't have an account in Singapore any more. I offered to send the money to Hou Xiaoran but was rejected. I was told the Government would keep the money.

The Singapore Government is well-known for its efficiency and productivity, not for the Ministry of Education. The Finance Division took one year to refund excess fees paid by a foreign student who has already left Singapore. Incredible. I thought MOE is fully computerised.

Foreign student left Singapore on 17th Feb 2002
MOE tried to refund excess school fee only on 1st April 2003 - took 13 months 12 days to send notice and yet money was never refunded

Singapore Educators pissed off Foreigner

26th December 2001

Mr Mohd Said B Jaafar
Chai Chee Secondary School
5 Sennett Road
Singapore 466781

Dear Sir
RE : Hou Xiaoran (Sec 2/3)

Thank you for your reply dated 28th November 2001. The letter has been forwarded to Mr Hou in China.

I understand that Hou Xiaoran has not been assigned a counsellor as proposed by you at our meeting last November. At the meeting, you said you will get the school counsellor to befriend Hou Xiaoran and assist her in adapting to the school system. Present at the meeting was also Mr Ong, the then acting vice-principal.

I am again very disappointed in you, as the principal, to talk but no action taken. Hou Xiaoran's case has not been resolved after 2 years. She was able to perform better this year because my husband and I spent time to counsel her and got other teens her age to befriend her and help her. Her parents phoned her daily, sometimes up to 3 times a day to talk to her. What have you done as a principal? My husband went to see you personally and subsequently wrote to you, which you claimed at the meeting that you were not aware. We took time off to meet up with you to discuss ways to help her. You met us because MOE told you to, but you were not sincere when you offer your apology. I am disgusted that as an educator you took offence at our complaint and are not co-operative. In fact, it was after much attempt and no help from you that we turn to the Education Minister. I will consider further action after I have seen the psychiatrist's report on Hou Xiaoran after her return.

Thank you
Mrs Jayne Tan

************************ooOoo************************

On January 2002, Mr Hou decided to send his daughter to New Zealand to continue her studies after seeing his daughter's unhappy state and not receiving any help from the school and MOE. He was very disappointed with the education system in Singapore. He was not willing to confront the Principal nor feedback to MOE. He has the money so he chose to leave Singapore and condemn it forever.

Principal Jaafar barred accepting my new foreign students in his school. Any of my foreign students who sat for entrance tests in his school was never accepted from then on. That is to be expected. :)

Abuse of authority? As the Principal, he's the King and the Law.

He was Principal of Broadrick Secondary School from years 2003 to 2007.

......../ Page 7

Talk cock no action

19th November 2001

To : The Principal
Chai Chee Secondary School

Dear Sir,
RE : Hou Xiaoran (Sec 2 N)

With reference to our meeting last year in November, you informed me that you are getting a counsellor to befriend Hou Xiaoran. This is to help her with her depression and strained relationship with her father - as a result of the constant harassment from the school's teacher, Miss Loh who insisted that her father come over - and also help her to adapt to the school system.

Hou Xiaoran has returned to China for her school holidays and her father has requested for a report from the counsellor and you, the principal on his daughter's progress on the counselling programme. this report will be forwarded to the psychiatrist who will review her case.

Thank you,
Mrs Jayne Tan

cc - Executive Officer, Schools East, School Div. Miss Wong Sher Ling

***************ooOoo**************

28th November 2001

Dear Mdm,
RE : Hou Xian Ran (Sec 2/3)

This is to inform you that, from our observations, Hou Xiaoran is coping well with her studies in our School. She has performed well and is placed 3rd in her class and 10th in the Level. She has done well in Chinese Language, Mathematics, and Technical Studies obtaining Grade I in all 3 subjects. However, she may need to improve her English linguistic skills so as to improve her performance in subjects like English Language, English Literature, History and Geography.

Based on feedback from Xiaoran's teachers, she is quiet, hardworking and attentive in class. teachers find her pleasant, well behaved and she has not shown any behavioural problems or any sign of being troubled throughout the year. She is also observed to mix well with her classmates.

Therefore, based on the above, we believe that she is adapting well to the school system here.

Thank you
Mr Mohd Said B Jaafar
Principal

******************* ooOoo ********************

To appease us at the meeting, Principal Jaafar suggested assigning a counsellor to befriend Hou Xiaoran. It was just talk only, he had no intention of seeing it being done. Typical of many principals and civil servants I encountered.





....../ Page 6

Letter that Rear-Adm Teo Chee Hean never read

A Cry for Help

eastcoastlife with Rear-Adm Teo Chee Hean (was Minister of Education)
...... no eyes see .....

Letter that Rear-adm Teo Chee Hean never read

Should students be terrorised in school?

Go and don't come back

Tell your father to come

MOE passed buck to Principal


When this story first appeared in my blog, Singaporeans were concerned because they trust that MOE and the schools would look into abuses and complaints. Surprise!

I didn't finish my story. Months after the posting of this story, there are concerned readers wanting to know what happened in the end.

I'll continue the story.........