Just to tell you why the contract by the principal is indeed an embarrassing joke.
Principal is firstly a guide and a counselor, to teachers and students alike. She is supreme authority to both set the agenda and then the rules to achieve them and then review them continuously. In this case she could easily have made an exception, simply by ensuring that those allowed to have 'unladylike hairstyles' did NOT do so for social rebellion, but for a greater social cause, and made announcements to bolster that aim. The eager students had applied for permission, the principal should respond with courtesy and attention. For double confirmation and deeper consideration, the principle, or anyone whom she should direct, may speak with the parents to poll their views and opinion about their support of the charitable cause. A visit to the Hair for Hope Facebook page would also reveal both the Minister of Education, as well as DPM Mr Tharman's support for the campaign.
As a judge of character, the principal has to decide if the student's intentions are bonafide ones- in alignment with the aims and objectives of the charity concerned.
The job requirements of a competent school principal, as previously mentioned, includes creating and reviewing school rules based upon on moral priorities. Whist general discipline such as a feminine turnout, school uniforms and punctuality might aid some moral achievements such as literacy and the attainment of better grades, the are remain other moral achievements which make for better individuals that are ad hoc and not part of the curriculum. E.g. fund raising for a student struck down by cancer. Anti mosquito activities recommended by NEA in view of a recent dengue outbreak. Lesson periods may be adjusted so as to accommodate such aspirations.
A school is an educational establishment, not an institution recalcitrant, hardened drug addicts. Nurture, rather than discipline should be the foremost aim of educators.
To draw up contracts with children should be the last thing on her mind. It could well be that due to the kid's over-enthusiasm and the principal's seeming nonchalance: 'just go find some cover for the peak', the kids had no conceptualization of where to find wigs and how much each should cost- an neither did the principal give these issues any adequate consideration.
In short, it is neither the job of principals to provide legal assistance, nor to enforce contracts in law; the contract the principal drew up was a stupid joke and the students were correct to deem it as such.
To a student, that the principal agreed was sufficient proof that their application was bonafide- the welfare of cancer kids would be all that is important. If in the unfortunate instance that wigs could not be obtained, then a principal who had a heart for cancer suffering kids would surely not mind- especially so when their result was no different from the handiwork of DPM Mr Tharman who himself shore the head of a 15 year old boy participant. If the boy could bask in his new DPM handiwork outcome, announcing to all his new found joy, then so too could a girl share with her classmates the beauty of new-found affection. Surely the fact that wigs were expensive and hard to find, cause rashes and uncomfortable to wear would be ample reason and but petty inconvenience to a principal who will surely appreciate their new found freedom and joy- the school itself being a Christian organisation- an institution as loving as "God is love" (1 John 4:8; NIV).
Basking in the joy of their new found freedom (to fight in solidarity with cancer suffers), these poor 16year olds must have been shocked at being sentenced to some form of detention, and subsequently, have their parents being presented with a $70 penalty, thanks to efficient henchman assistance of some unthinking parent volunteers (obtaining suspect quality wigs of some ?dubious? source).
Comparing their negative reception with the raucous welcome that of other participants from other (participating) schools received, it is fortunate that parents intervened and saved their children from falling into a state of depression given the persistence of persecution they faced from both parent volunteers and the entire educational establishment.
About a principal who derelicts her educational duties just to run a female supremacist institution. About a principal well attuned to scoring good brownie points just based on student grades and other ritual performance, I'm sure hope our ministers have an answer to people who perpetually try to game and outsmart the local educational system.
If the ministers will not judge in the midst of this public confusion, then let God be judge, for the conduct of this principal is no different from the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Sanhedrin who tried all manner of legal contortions and accusations to discredit and persecute Jesus Christ simply because he challenged status quo [Matthew Chapter 22 (NIV)] and called them a "den of thieves".
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Ministers participating in Hair for Hope, Singapore:
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At/ related:
HWZ:
09Aug2013: Diary of a Secondary School Principal: life after the botakgate.
A1:
09Aug2013: Mr Heng should not have intervened in bal girl Integrity issue
SBY:
09Aug2013: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate.
REACH
09Aug2013: Why the contract invented by the principal is indeed an embarrassing joke.:
SGC:
09Aug2013: MGS orders girls who went bald for charity to wear wigs
09Aug2013:
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