Berries World of Learning School @ Hougang

We had a deeply disappointing experience at the Hougang Rivercourt branch. After our son was involved in a series of bullying incidents targeted to our child (3 times yelling including... Read more bullying incidents targeted to our child (3 times yelling including in front of mommy, 2 times threat 'teacher will scold you', 1 time physically forcefully push down hands when trying to answer questions), the branch manager, Jenny, demonstrated a severe lack of experience and a passive, reactive approach. Force our child to shake hands after 2 min investigation to accept and let it go, ignoring his autonomy and feeling, whereas our request to ask another child to apologize was rejected because 'school cannot force kid to apologize' (why can force our child to accept though). Headquarters acknowledged that the branch indeed didn't follow SOP, and some internal discussions will be conducted regarding penalizing the branch. The issue was left unresolved for over three weeks, with no one checking on our son’s emotional well-being. Despite escalating the issue to headquarters and receiving help to transfer branches, not a single apology was ever given to our son—not from the other child, the teacher, or the branch manager. This final failure to acknowledge the harm done is unacceptable and shows a critical lack of empathy. We cannot recommend this branch.

We have been Berries for years and have had wonderful experiences at the Outram and the now-closed Stars of Kovan branches. Their management was proactive, professional, and genuinely committed to... Read more branches. Their management was proactive, professional, and genuinely committed to student welfare. However, our experience at the Hougang Rivercourt branch was the complete opposite. A series of bullying incidents (a pattern of behavior over a 14-day period, including three repeated verbal threats and one physical assault targeted at our child) involving our son were handled with a shocking lack of experience and empathy by the branch manager (had no hesitation in forcing our child to "let it go" and shake hands after a series of actions, entirely disregarding his feelings and his need for a sincere apology to move on, whereas claimed that could not force the other child to apologize if she was unwilling). The investigation was superficial, rushed, and failed to address a single one of our concerns. The issue dragged on for over three weeks, and most disappointingly, no one—not the branch manager, the teacher, or the other child—ever offered a single apology to our son. While headquarters eventually helped us transfer branches, the lack of accountability from the Hougang outlet is a serious failure. The difference in quality is night and day.

[Use another account since app doesn't allow to reply your response] We have received your response and appreciate the attempt to address our concerns. However, the trivialization of the wrongs our... Read more address our concerns. However, the trivialization of the wrongs our child endured and the implicit suggestion that our actions were disproportionate have compelled us to publicly clarify the details. Your response appears to be a selective and inaccurate summary of events, which directly contradicts our on-record communication and our lived experience. [See attached photos due to text length limit] Your letter's polished language attempts to dismiss a series of serious failures as a minor misunderstanding. The reality is that the Hougang Rivercourt branch failed to investigate a bullying issue, failed to demonstrate empathy or professionalism, and failed to provide a safe environment for our child.

The teachers are very good as they will give feedback on the child progress after class (positive feedback and recommendation to improve, if any). My son was transferred from another... Read more to improve, if any). My son was transferred from another Berries centre as we have just moved to this area. We never had such interaction with the Berries teachers in the previous centre and we are glad that the teachers in Mountbatten are genuinely care for the progress of the students!

Great experience. All staffs are very friendly, nice, and helpful!