SINGAPORE – Shocking Incident at Pre-School

In a disturbing turn of events, a pre-school has dismissed a teacher following reports of rough handling of young children. This incident has raised serious concerns about child safety in educational environments, particularly given the centre's troubled history with a previous case of misconduct.

Details of the Incident

On September 8, an anonymous tip-off about potential child mismanagement came to the attention of the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). After conducting a thorough investigation, the agency found evidence of inappropriate behavior on September 13 and promptly advised the pre-school to remove the teacher from all care and teaching duties. By September 20, her employment was officially terminated.

Response from the Pre-School

Parents were informed about the unsettling incident in a letter from the pre-school's principal, which revealed that the affected class included vulnerable toddlers aged 18 months to two years. What’s even more alarming is that this centre is under scrutiny for a previous incident involving a 59-year-old non-teaching staff member charged with molesting a two-year-old girl in December 2023.

A Statement from the Nursery

“This is an unfortunate incident,” said a spokesperson for the nursery, emphasizing their ongoing cooperation with ECDA while apologizing to affected families. The pre-school has since lodged a police report as investigations continue.

Reactions from Parents

To address parental concerns, the establishment held a briefing on September 21, where they discussed the incident, how it was identified, and the subsequent actions taken. Some parents expressed satisfaction with the way the situation was handled, while others highlighted the importance of maintaining trust in the institution.

One father, who chose to remain anonymous, stated, “What is crucial is how they manage situations like this. It could happen at any pre-school.

Another parent pointed out that the surveillance provided by CCTV cameras, now mandated in all pre-schools by July 2023, helps reassure them about their children's safety.

Measures Taken by the School

In response to this incident, the school has implemented several additional measures, including staff counseling and art therapy for the children involved. They also reiterated the importance of adhering to established protocols for managing child behavior.

Remarkably, the pre-school is equipped with 75 CCTV cameras, which the principal regularly reviews as part of their safety protocol. It was during a review of footage that the principal first noticed the teacher's inappropriate behavior, leading to swift action.

ECDA's Commitment

The ECDA has reiterated its commitment to ensuring child safety, stating that it conducts regular unannounced visits to pre-schools to ensure compliance with their safety guidelines. They encourage anyone with concerns regarding child management to report incidents directly to the pre-school or to the ECDA at [email protected].

Conclusion and Call to Action

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance in child care facilities. Parents are urged to maintain open communication with pre-school operators to ensure their children's safety and well-being. What measures would you like to see implemented in pre-schools to further enhance child safety? Share your thoughts!