Hwa Chong Institution to revise recipe, food presentation of bento meals after students’ feedback

DISCIPLINE RECORDS

After the initial news reports, a screenshot sent by a teacher began circulating on social media. The message warned students “not to participate in the canteen food controversy”, or face consequences.

Hwa Chong has said that the teacher sent the message in a class chat “out of concern” for students’ well-being.

Rumours also spread on social media that some students were issued demerit points for speaking out about meal quality concerns.

On Jan 8, the school issued a statement to say it did not reprimand or penalise students who spoke out about the school’s new canteen programme.

Soon after, rumours circulated that students were unable to access their discipline records on their school’s digital portal.

In a press release on Thursday, Hwa Chong Institution said it was aware of online allegations that its discipline module was taken down following claims that students received demerit points for speaking against the canteen.

“This is not true, as the discipline module was taken down in October 2025, prior to recent discussions about our canteen,” the school said.

“The temporary takedown was part of an ongoing review of the school’s demerit system, with the aim of making it more developmental in nature.

“The module was taken offline to facilitate system updates and internal review, and this was not intended to obscure information or restrict access.”

Access to the discipline records has since been restored.

The school reiterated on Thursday that no students were punished for speaking to the media and no demerit points were issued regarding canteen matters. There was also no disciplinary action.