Have you ever heard of a middle-aged boss of a high school tuition center being the subject of an international manhunt? It may sound like a plot straight out of a movie, but this is exactly what happened this week to Poh Yuan Nie, a 57-year-old Singaporean woman.
Poh was sentenced to four years in prison for masterminding an elaborate cheating scam during the Southeast Asian country’s annual GCE O Level examinations. She and three of her tutors fed answers to students using a system of bodycams, earphones and bluetooth devices. The scam was discovered when an exam invigilator heard unusual noises coming from one of the students.
Private tuition centers are big business in Singapore, where the pressure for students to perform well can be overwhelming. The GCE O Level exams can be a particularly stressful time, as they define a student’s entire high school performance and determine which local college or vocational institute they can go to.
Poh failed to surrender to police after the court sentenced her to four years in prison. As a result, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) issued a Red Notice for her arrest. The notice included a mugshot and listed her charges of “abetment to commit cheating.” Her three accomplices are all currently serving their respective prison terms.
The case has put the spotlight on the Singapore school system, which is ranked among the world’s best and is known for its competitiveness. The Singapore government has implemented a raft of reforms in recent years aimed at easing the mental burden on students who can face immense pressure to achieve good grades.
It is a reminder that cheating is a serious offense that can have serious consequences. Poh has now become the subject of an international manhunt and could face further jail time if she is caught.
Source: www.cnn.com