Imagine how heartbroken you’d be when your former teacher contacted you, asking how you’ve been only to have her tear you a new one…
… and it’s all because you’ve decided that ITE is the right tertiary education choice for you.
Tutor Looked Down on Ex-Student Who is in ITE
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Just to get this out of the way, the person who operates the “blackbeltclan” Instagram account and posted this screengrab of a series of Whatsapp messages isn’t the original recipient of these messages.
Instead, the person is a friend of a Blackbelt Clan team member.
In the image, Mrs Teo, who is Zoe’s ex-English tutor, contacted her seemingly out of the blue, asking how she’s doing and which JC (junior college) she’s in.
Zoe, who, from her response, seemed delighted that her ex-tutor still remembered her. She told the ex-tutor that she’s currently studying in ITE.
That sent her ex-tutor into wanton fury.
She proceeded to lambast her former student for being “such a disgrace” and telling her that she is “just wasting (her) parents’ money and effort”.
Mrs Teo added that “ITE has no standing in society.”, and following that up with “I’m speechless.”
The student then defended her decision by saying that the institution has improved a lot over the years.
Not getting the hint that she has overstepped her boundaries and overstayed her welcome in the chat, Mrs Teo continued by saying “Don’t come and talk rubbish with me.”
“You are very naïve. You won’t even be able to secure a job interview.”
However, the more tactful Zoe knew things are getting out of hand and she tried backing out of the conversation.
But the ex-tutor wanted the final word.
Scathingly, she said, “Initially, I want to collect a testimonial from you. But now, please don’t go around telling people that I taught you in Secondary 3 level. That’s all.”
Mrs Teo’s response enraged many Singaporeans and rightly so, with many flocking to the comments to make their voices heard.
However, it seems like Blackbelt Clan has already disabled comments for that particular post.
Putting a Positive Spin to an Otherwise Disheartening Incident
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Blackbelt Clan has added a follow-up post, calling out to all ITE students to share their success stories on Instagram.
Many netizens have flung themselves into the task, sharing some pretty remarkable stories about their time at ITE and how it has shaped them into the persons they are today.
One shared that she was from ITE and that she’s a BBA holder now with a salary of 5k as an estate manager.
Another shared that he’s a graduate from the pioneer batch of ITE (Simei branch) back in 2005.
“Currently running multiple businesses. Few of my employees are uni graduates with good grades.”
“Yes they’re management in my company with high salary. But I’m an ITE graduate earning 5 figures monthly. It’s not about how much anyone can earn. It’s how much one can help the society economy too. And ITE had taught me about life skills, that I’m holding on to it till this day,” he wrote in his comment.
Another netizen shared his story too.
“I’m from ITE and spearheaded a film team, crafting visuals for couples. Now I’m spearheading one of the most well-known local furniture manufacturing company in Singapore.”
The Controversy Behind the Whatsapp Messages
There are some keen-eyed netizens who brought up some good points as to why these Whatsapp messages might be staged.
For starters, the Instagram account that posted the screengrabs, Blackbelt Clan, isn’t a personal account but a business one.
In fact, Blackbelt Clan is an education brand in Singapore that challenges the education system.
They also post English-learning content daily on their Instagram account.
That said, Blackbelt Clan has refuted the claims that they have staged the messages, stating that “We wish!?”
Some, such as users went as far as criticising Blackbelt Clan for “unethically sensationalise the issue/stigma of ITE students for the sake of promoting your company or manufacturing a ‘social platform’ for discussion.”
One netizen even sarcastically wrote, “from “challenging the education system” to challenging the credibility of this account’s owner”.
To which, Blackbelt Clan issued a public apology on their Instagram story:
However, many netizens stated that even if the messages were staged, the point being conveyed across here still holds water and that ITE students are still being greatly discriminated against in Singapore’s academics-focused society.
Featured Image: Instagram (blackbeltclan) ; Google Maps
