Taiwan schoolchildren 'ordered to eat fire and walk on glass as part of confidence training'

Taiwan schoolchildren 'ordered to eat fire and walk on glass as part of confidence training'

By RICHARD SHEARS
Last updated at 1:36 PM on 22nd October 2009



Fire: It is reported the children were told to put lit sticks into their mouths and swallow them

An investigation is underway after a Taiwanese school reportedly ordered children as young as six to put burning sticks in their mouths and walk on glass.

The claims were made on Taiwanese TV after the youngsters told their parents of alleged abuse at the Mai-teh International Intelligence Research Institute.

The incensed parents went to the TVBS news channel and the centre is now being probed for possible violations of laws governing minors.

The centre, licenced as a consultancy and about two years old, had admitted more than 100 people of varied ages to build up their courage via what parents said amounted to corporal punishment, a city government news official said.

'We paid T$9,000 (about £150) to send our children to a course that was supposed to boost their confidence and their courage - then found out that part of the lesson was the order that they should eat fire,' said one parent.

Reports from the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, said the TV network had shown footage of a female teacher shoving a burning home-made torch into the mouth of a reluctant child.

According to the TV report about the school in Tainan city, teachers also made the children walk barefoot over broken glass and try to split wood with their bare hands.

'This was nothing short of child abuse,' said a mother, who declined to give her name.

'Each of the children were really suffering.'

Another parent said: 'The children just hated it. Imagine being told to put a burning stick into your mouth and swallow the fire.'

It is not known whether the children were injured or whether they suffered any psychological trauma following their fire-eating and glass-walking experiences.

The course was being run by a self-proclaimed hypnosis master who claims his teachings can help develop a child's potential and make him or her braver.

According to the TV station and other local reports, a full inquiry has begun into the activities of the school, which is already facing a fine for operating without a permit.

A statement from the school said: ‘Because the company had always stressed that it was a confidence training school and that only with a strong heart could children see achievements, it had to do things to build up courage.

‘If there were violations of rules covering minors, we will handle the case according to law.'

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...-training.html

Hey Orca thanks for telling us about this issue....

Whoever organized this class must have been insane... Even Silat Gurus have confidences test but they are meant for young adults!

I dunno

But in Karate and Silat the practitioner do a bit of self torture to make them help their pain tolerance.

In Karate, they smashed a piece of wood across the abs

In Silat[Malay fighting style], they smashed ceramic roofing tiles on the heads and ribs and also put their hands in boiling coconut oil and jump thru a ring of fire.

However all those acts are done by trained adults.... But these kids aren't ready for this..... those kids should learn a martial art or two. It builds confidences and humility even without the fire.