Singapore teacher jailed after kicking four-year-old child in classroom

A preschool teacher who punched a four-year-old girl in a kindergarten classroom was sentenced to jail in Singapore on August 19, 2025. 

Primarily, Alamelu was angry because she felt that the girl who was sitting on the floor had nearly made her stumble.

The school instructor, 57, was sanitizing the portable beds, placing them and making preparations for the children to take a nap.

She was giving instructions to the students and along with the victim, to move away from the classroom where she wanted to place sleeping cots. The students moved from their places whereas the girl remained seated on the floor.

However, Alamelu shifted a cot to the corner, and on turning she felt that she had nearly tripped over the child.

Although she did not fall and forcefully kicked the child in anger while scolding her to sit properly. The child was affected and left her right leg in pain.

The girl was given treatment with a bruise measuring 1cm by cm. She was also given two days medical leave and some medications for treatment.

Keeping in view the situation, The Early Education Development Agency (ECDA) which supervised the childhood sector in Singapore has told CNA that the instructor had been suspended from her duties immediately, and the matter is in the phase for further investigation.

The agency has confirmed, “The educator subsequently resigned and has not worked in the preschool sector since the incident happened.”

Upon further investigation, Alamelu said that she could not exactly remember what had happened. She said that “unconsciously” her foot was touched with the girl’s leg.

The court documents showed that after the girl clutched her leg due to kick, Alamelu did not bother to attend her.

For the offence, she could have been jailed for at least eight years or fined for $8,000 or both.