SINGAPORE — The “main aggressor” involved in a bullying incident at the ITE College Central will be expelled, the school said on Wednesday (March 17).

In an update on the ITE Facebook page, ITE College Central said that it has concluded its investigations into the case and that “the main aggressor will be dismissed, as is the norm for assault cases in the college”.

“The other students involved in the incident will be counselled and required to perform community service,” it added.

A video of the bullying incident was uploaded on the sg.trendzzz Instagram page last Friday and was first reported by the Mothership website on Tuesday.

In the video, a student — the main aggressor — can be seen taunting the victim in a toilet. At least three other students were present.

The main aggressor can be seen cornering his victim and asking: “What’s wrong with you?” before ripping off his face mask.

The victim was also slapped and had vulgarities hurled at him as the other students laughed.

The victim was then made to apologise to the main aggressor. He was hit in the head and kicked as he made his way out of the toilet.

Mr Suresh Natarajan, principal at ITE College Central, had on Tuesday said that the school had been “made aware of the video regarding a bullying incident”.

“As an educational institution, we strive to provide all our students with a safe, caring and supportive environment. We take a serious view of bullying and take a firm stance against such behaviour,” said Mr Suresh at that time.

He added that one of the students had been suspended pending further investigations.

Separately, Minister of State for Education Sun Xueling said that the authorities take a serious view of the matter.

On her Facebook page on Tuesday, Ms Sun said that ITE’s College Disciplinary Committee is investigating the incident and will recommend appropriate actions. 

“ITE reiterates that bullying and violence against staff or students on campus is not tolerated and will not hesitate to take disciplinary actions against students found in breach of their Code of Conduct,” said Ms Sun.

She added: “Might is not right. It is morally reprehensible to bully someone. Even more so if you pick on a person or child who is in a vulnerable position and unable to defend himself or herself.”