Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) has denied claims that it penalised students who spoke to the media about concerns surrounding its newly introduced canteen meal programme, following widespread allegations that nine students were issued demerit points for their comments.
The school issued a statement on Thursday night (Jan 8) after rumours circulated on social media platforms and parents’ WhatsApp groups suggesting that students had faced disciplinary action for speaking publicly about the quality of school meals.
Controversy Sparked by Viral Images
The controversy began on Jan 3 when photos posted on social media platform Reddit showed meals served in turquoise trays, consisting of rice, vegetables and a portion of protein. The images quickly gained traction online, drawing sharp criticism from netizens who questioned whether the meals met acceptable nutritional, quality and portion standards for students.
In response to the online backlash, the school initially stated that the images circulating online did not accurately reflect the actual food standards of the programme.
However, this position was challenged after Channel NewsAsia (CNA) interviewed nine students outside the school on Wednesday morning. The students confirmed that the photos accurately depicted the meals being served, contradicting the school’s initial defence and intensifying public scrutiny.
Allegations of Student Silencing Emerge
Following the publication of CNA’s report and other media coverage, a screenshot of a message purportedly sent by a teacher began circulating online. The message, shared in a class chat, warned students against participating in discussions surrounding the canteen food controversy.
“Please do not circulate photos, messages and social media posts – we know what the consequences are. Keep your opinion to yourself,” the message read. It also reminded students that both parental and school consent were required for media interviews.
The message raised concerns among parents and online commentators, with some questioning whether students were being discouraged from raising legitimate concerns or expressing their views publicly. Claims soon emerged that nine students had been issued demerit points for speaking to the media, though no documentary evidence of such disciplinary action surfaced publicly.
School Responds to Disciplinary Claims
In response to CNA’s queries, an HCI spokesperson acknowledged that the message was indeed sent by a teacher in a class chat. However, the school denied that it was intended to silence students or suppress feedback.
The spokesperson said the message was issued “out of concern for our students’ well-being while reminding students to be responsible in their online activities”.
“The reminder was not meant to discourage students from sharing their views or offering feedback through appropriate channels, nor were any students penalised or reprimanded for voicing their opinions,” the spokesperson added.
The school also stated that it would work with teachers to ensure that future messages to students are “conveyed clearly” to avoid misunderstandings.
Details of the New Hybrid Canteen Programme
The meals are part of a new hybrid canteen model launched on Jan 2, developed in partnership with SATS, a major food solutions provider. Under the new system, meals are centrally prepared off-site and delivered to the school, supplementing traditional stall-based offerings rather than fully replacing them.
According to the school, the programme was introduced to address several operational challenges faced by school canteens, including long queue times during short meal breaks, increasing manpower constraints, and difficulties in retaining canteen stall operators, which have affected schools across the sector.
The hybrid model aims to streamline food distribution by allowing large numbers of students to collect pre-prepared meals efficiently, reducing congestion during peak hours. The centralised preparation process is also intended to ensure consistency in food safety standards and hygiene, with meals produced in bulk under regulated conditions.
The programme was rolled out at the start of the academic year as part of broader efforts to modernise school food operations and improve logistical efficiency. Students are provided meals in standardised trays, a feature that drew particular attention after images of the trays circulated online.
While the school has said the programme was designed to improve operational efficiency and ensure students are served within limited break times, the public response has highlighted concerns over portion sizes, presentation, variety and perceived quality, prompting debate over whether efficiency-driven food models are appropriate in school settings.
Emphasis on Internal Feedback Channels
Reiterating its position, the school said it values student perspectives and encourages feedback to be shared directly with the institution so that concerns can be addressed constructively.
“We value our students’ perspectives and encourage them to share their thoughts directly with the school so that concerns can be addressed constructively. Any media engagement involving students is coordinated with the school and parents to safeguard students’ well-being,” the spokesperson said.
Ongoing Public Attention
Despite the school’s clarifications, the incident has continued to attract significant public attention online, with discussions centring on food quality, student voice, and the balance between safeguarding students and allowing them to speak openly about school-related issues.
The school has not indicated whether any adjustments will be made to the meal programme following the feedback, but said it remains committed to reviewing concerns raised through appropriate channels.
Images via reddit
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