NOT ANGRY WITH THEM BECAUSE...
STUDENTS and staff members of a secondary school were greeted by some disturbing graffiti on Monday morning.
Many of the words used were vulgar and were seemingly aimed at certain staff members.
One was called a 'stupid fatty' while another was referred to as a member of the world's oldest profession, though not in so many words.
Those in school were taken aback by the extent of the graffiti.
The graffiti, littered with swear words, were spray-painted in large letters on at least nine walls in different parts of the school.
Police spokesman Cheryl Foo confirmed the incident, adding that four teenagers have been arrested in connection with the incident.
All have been released on bail.
Two of them are 14-year-old boys who are students in the school.
Another is a 14-year-old former student, and the fourth, a girl, is the girlfriend of one of the two current students. Her age is unknown.
We're not naming the school because the youths are underaged.
One teacher said he saw the graffiti when he reached the school around 7am on Monday.
BLUE PAINT
He said most of the graffiti, which was in blue spray paint, was found on walls near the canteen, assembly area and the teachers' room on the ground floor.
On the second storey, more graffiti had been spray-painted on three walls along the staircase landing, he said.
He added: 'I was alarmed. Yes, I know kids these days can be naughty and mischievous, but I never thought they would be capable of carrying out something to this extent.'
The teacher said the youths probably entered the school over the weekend to carry out the act because the walls were still clean last Friday afternoon.
He said the graffiti appeared only on walls that were not blocked by metal shutters, which are usually locked over the weekend.
The teacher said his colleagues and the principal were quite affected by the incident.
'The principal is usually very lively and energetic, but that morning, she was quieter than usual.'
He said that the principal, who is in her 40s, told the students during the morning school assembly 'not to stare at the filth on the walls'.
She also asked the students to forgive those behind the graffiti, while giving the culprits up to 11am on Monday to own up to their deeds.
But no one did so, the teacher said.
The principal then announced through the public address system that the school would be alerting the police.
Police officers later got hold of a CCTV footage, which helped them to identify the four youths, who were arrested on Monday night.
This was confirmed by the principal last night.
She said the two students were suspended from school for recent disciplinary offences, but did not give details.
She added: 'I'm saddened by what has happened, but I'm not angry with them because they come from troubled family backgrounds.'
But she made it clear that the school does not condone vandalism because it is a crime.
The principal said she had not spoken to her students since the incident.
But she said the school was prepared to give them another chance where possible, and she has discussed with the school board on ways to help them.
This would be either counselling or other measures to help them cope with their family problems.
The principal said she was encouraged that many students had stepped forward to help clean up the walls. Several parents also volunteered their time in the clean-up.
By Monday evening, the graffiti had been removed.
source:
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...38166,00.html?