Hwa Chong Institution

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Hwa Chong Institution 华侨中学 Institusi Hwa Chong ஹ்வா சாங் கல்வி நிலையம்
Address
661 Bukit Timah Road,
Singapore 269734
Singapore
Information
Type	Independent, Boys (secondary) Co-educational (junior college)
Established	1 January 2005
Color(s)	Red
Website	www.hci.edu.sg

Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) is an independent secondary educational institution in Bukit Timah, Central Region, Singapore. It was established in 2005 by the merger of The Chinese High School (1919–2004) and Hwa Chong Junior College (1974–2005).

Controversy[edit]

Teacher charged for drug-related offence[edit]

On 4 January 2019, a HCI teacher, Briton Christopher David Burge, was charged in court for drug-related charges. He was accused of attempting to possess five packets of a crystalline substance and found to contain at least 3.6g of methamphetamine, and also accused of consuming the drug.^[1]

2020 Singaporean general election[edit]

In 2020, an email from the school administration advising students not to discuss matters regarding the 2020 Singaporean general election sparked controversy and debate.^[2] It was sent on the school's Integrated e-Message Board to College Section students, advising them to avoid posting anything related to the general election on social media platforms associated with the school, as well as the students' own social media accounts. A screenshot of the message was leaked and circulated online, stirring debate on topics such as free speech, political opinions and whether youths should be free to engage in political discussions.

The incident led to a backlash in which a group of alumni, led by filmmaker Anthony Chen, sent a letter to the school administration to express their disappointment. HCI defended its advice to students in a statement saying, "Our intention is not to silence students' voices, nor to curb their interest in national issues. Instead, we encourage our students to engage actively in discussions and even debates on national issues, in a safe environment." The school refused to comment if disciplinary action had been taken against students who had raised concerns.^[2]

Anti-LGBTQ content incident[edit]

On 13 July 2022, a male HCI school counsellor gave a sex education talk to Secondary 4 students using content that discriminated against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people. The school counsellor was later reprimanded and suspended from conducting sexuality education lessons according to HCI. A HCI spokesman told the news media that the presentation content was not approved by the school and the counsellor's views do not represent the school’s position.

A LGBTQ community group, Pink Dot SG, issued a statement stating that the presentation used fabricated statistics and gave misinformation about the LGBTQ community that is harmful and aimed at instilling fear and shame.^[3]

The incident was investigated by police after reports were lodged with the police.^[4]

Ration controversy 2026[edit]

In 2026, HCI partnered with SATS and started hybrid canteen model in school. The move resulted in controversy over it's pre-packed meals' quality for students after photos of the meal got publicized on 3 January 2026.^[5] The meals quality was also compared to Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) cookhouse meals by the public.^[6][7] In response, HCI claimed that the images do not accurately reflect the food standards. On 7 January 2026, the HCI students spoked to Channel News Asia (CNA) outside the school confirmed the images showed what was being served, and it involves negative feedback. Some students reportedly threw their meals away after a few bites.^[8]

Later on 9 January 2026, a screenshot purportedly from a HCI parents' WeChat group was publicized and alleged that 9 students received 5 demerit points each for speaking to media about the meals. In response, HCI claimed that it has not penalised or reprimanded its students for talking to the media about the school's new catered meals. A screenshot of a message sent by HCI teacher warning students was also publicized online, the message warned students not to participate in "the canteen food controversy", and to not circulate photos, messages and social media posts, adding that "we know what the consequences are". The message also told students to keep their opinions to themselves, and get consent from their parents and school to talk to the media. In response, HCI claimed that the message was sent out of concern for the students’ well-being while reminding students to be responsible in their online activities. HCI also claimed that the reminder was not meant to discourage students from sharing their views or offering feedback through appropriate channels.^[9] The incident resulted in public scrutiny over the credibility of HCI's response. Some alumni criticised the school for consistently placing institutional reputation above students’ interests, describing such behaviour as long-standing rather than exceptional. The alumni also commented that students’ conditioned obedience enables controversial conduct by staff with little accountability, citing past incidents such as an anti-LGBT talk.^[10]

Incident[edit]

Scammer impersonating as HCI teacher[edit]

In June 2024, a photographer told Singapore newspaper media, Lianhe Zaobao, that he received scam Whatsapp message and call on 2 June 2024 from a Hong Kong phone number. The scammer identify himself as "Mr Lim" (Chinese: 林老师), a teacher from HCI, and requested the photographer to help providing photography service for students. They agreed to meet up at HCI 2 days later. Later on 4 June 2024, Mr Lim called the photographer and claimed that the school is looking forward to purchase 20 electric wheelchair and asking the photographer for recommendation. Mr Lim later claimed that he had contacted a supplier from Hong Kong but unable to make an agreement, he requested the photographer to assist in negotiation. After hanging up the call, the photographer called HCI for verification and was told that the school did not have any teacher named "Mr Lim".

The HCI spokesperson told Lianhe Zaobao that they are aware of scams impersonating as their school personnel and has since made a police report.^[11]

Footnotes[edit]