A shocked an humiliated bus 'auntie' quit her job in a huff, after suffering a scolding by a primary school pupil from a prestigious school.
The boy called her "a beggar" and "poor", in front of the other pupils on the bus, and even announced that it was his mother who told him that.
Madam Huang, 61, who accompanies students on their ride in the school bus, tendered her resignation as she could not bear the injustice and humilation of being 'bullied' by a primary school pupil at her age.
Madam Huang contacted the Shin Min Daily News to complain about her treatment at the hands of the 10-year-old.
She told the reporter that had joined the transport company which provided school bus services two years ago - her role was to accompany the bus driver on his route to pick students up from their homes.
Madam Huang said there was a Primary 3 pupil who was particularly mischievous, and often ran around on the bus and behaved in an unruly manner. His antics gave her and the driver a headache, said Madam Huang.
"What if he suffers a fall on the bus?", said Madam Huang, who always asked that he sit right behind the driver's seat so she could keep a watch over him, but the boy refused.
Madam Huang said she had tried complaining to his mother about the boy's behaviour, but the mother did not apologise or promise to take him in hand.
Instead, she complained that Madam Huang was the one that was creating trouble for her son.
In April, when the boy refused to sit down and behave on board the bus, Madam Huang scolded him, but got a rude shock when he retorted: "You are a beggar, poor, no money."
Madam Huang said the driver, who had heard what he said, was taken aback by the boy's outburst as well, and questioned the boy.
The boy said his mother had told him that, and again repeated his insults.
Madam Huang said she felt humiliated, but could do nothing.
Received warning letter
Madam Huang continued that after the June school holidays, she saw the boy wearing a school shoe with a hole in it. Remembering her humiliation from the previous incident, she then asked him: "You are rich and staying in a condominium, why are you still wearing this pair of tattered and torn shoes?"
She believes he had complained to his parents about her remarks, which resulted in Madam Huang being called in to the office by her supervisor regarding the matter. She was told she would be transferred to another bus from July 5 onwards.
On the same day, Madam Huang said she happened to bump into the boy's father. She complained to him about his son's behaviour, and said the boy would "be beaten up" in future, if he was not taken in hand.
The response from the father was "you better watch out", said Madam Huang.
But that was not the end of the matter. At the end of last month, Madam Huang received a warning letter from her company, which was the last straw.
In a fit of anger, she tore up the letter on the spot and quit. She even told her supervisor she is willing to pay compensation of a month's salary for her abrupt resignation.
"The letter indicated that I was rude to the parents, and I felt very aggrieved," said Madam Huang.
The contents of the letter stated that she did not follow her supervisor's instructions and "was involved in a confrontation with the student's parents again".
Madam Huang was cited for "insubordination", and warned that "more serious disciplinary action" would be taken if she repeated her offence.
