8 New Facts About The ACS Kid’s Parents Suing Principal Case That’ll Make You Cheer


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Justice is served. And it was oh-so-delicious.

Trust me, if you hear about the updates to the case of the parents suing a principal of a school in Singapore, you’ll cheer along with me.

Here’s a quick flashback in case you don’t know what the heck I’m talking about:

A secondary two student in ACS had his iPhone7 confiscated because he was using it in class.

Instead of scolding the kid (like sensible parents do), or simply take the issue in stride, the parents decided to sue the principal instead. 

Here are 8 facts about the ACS case you need to know. Because #CommonSenseFTW

1. Parents and Students Are Well-Aware of The School Rules in Advanced

If you’ve read our article on the case yesterday, you’ll know that the student confessed that he was aware of the school policy regarding using mobile phones in class. 

So why did the parents react the way they did? Is it because they didn’t know about this?

Turns out the school sent a letter to every parent of their student “welcoming them back” for the new school year stated the rule explicitly.

Image: acsbr.moe.edu.sg

Maybe they’re just trying to test the system, huh?

2. Lockers Were Provided For Students To Deposit Their Device Till After Class

Image: acsbr.moe.edu.sg

Many wondered if the school provided a place for students to keep their devices. Because if they didn’t, it’s their fault (although I’m not sure how that works, but oh well). 

Guess what? Students in the school are provided with a locker to keep their electronic devices locked in. And to assure the parents, CCTVs are installed in the locker areas.

3. My son won’t do it again

On 21 March 2017, the parent of the student wrote to the principal stating that the punishment was too harsh for the offence. He added that his son has promised not to do it again.

Like that’ll happen once the son sees how easily the rules can be broken without consequences.

4. I’m not bound by your school rules so you can’t take my phone

He further contended that the iPhone7 is his property, not his son’s. Represented by lawyer Andrew Hanam, they presented the case as a ‘denial of one’s rights to their property’. 

Basically, what they’re saying is the principal holding on to the phone is ridiculous. Since the parent is not bound by school rules, his phone doesn’t have to be confiscated.

Wow. Just wow.


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5. You’re denying the principal his right to enforce his school regulations 

The lawyer representing the principal, Alfonso Ang, said that the point of contention put up by the parent is “frivolous and vexatious”. 

He pointed out that the principal is responsible for enforcing discipline in his school.

Which makes sense. If you say he took away the rights to your property, how about you taking away his rights to enforce punishments?

6. You should just enrol your son in another school if you don’t like the school rules

One thing I got to say, this case has made two people look like a badass, and one like a jackass.

In response to the point made by the parent, District Judge Tan outright dismissed the parent’s argument that he wasn’t bound by school rules.


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In addition, he also pointed out that parents should already be aware of the rules on phone use (refer #1). He could have “enrolled his son in another school” if he didn’t like that rule.

Burn.

7. The Phone Rule Will Be Rendered Useless If The Parent Got His Way

To add salt to the wound, the judge pointed out that if the phone was returned earlier than the stipulated duration of the punishment, it would lead to even more students breaking the phone rule.

After all, what’s to stop them from just getting their parents to sue the school in the future? 

Since the parent don’t get it when a measly school principal tries to tell him that, maybe it’ll finally sink in when it’s the judge talking?

8. Only 2 weeks left before the punishment is up

Here’s the kicker: the iPhone7 will be returned to the student on 20 June 2017 if we follow the events of the report.


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The kid was caught using his phone on 8 March, had his phone confiscated on 21 March, so add three months to that and you’ll see the phone returned on 20 June.

Instead of patiently waiting for the phone to be returned, the parent had to start a legal battle to demand an early return of the phone.

Not only did he have to spend money on hiring a lawyer, he made himself look like a jackass to the entire world.

So not worth it. 

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Feature Image: asiaone.com

This article was first published on goodyfeed.com