This forum letter was first published in The Straits Times on June 19, 2024. 

Like many parents, I was horrified to read about a male teacher charged over child abuse materials allegedly in his possession (Male teacher charged over child abuse materials allegedly in his possession, June 10).

I wondered how long he had been teaching young people and if he had abused any of them, and whether any red flags had been missed over the years.

This troubling incident underscores the critical need for a comprehensive child protection policy (CPP) in all schools in Singapore. The gravity of this case goes beyond “staff misconduct”. Parents put their trust in schools to keep their children safe. Children are taught that teachers are safe adults they can trust. A case like this betrays that trust. When that trust is exploited, it can have a lasting impact on the lives of children and their families.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development has strengthened child protection protocols in domestic child abuse cases after the case of the five-year-old girl abused to death by her father. The Ministry of Education should similarly adopt a comprehensive CPP in educational institutions – such as those in the UK, Australia and the United Arab Emirates – to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.

A comprehensive CPP will encompass training for staff on measures to safeguard children, including rules on appropriate behaviour when working with children, and how to spot red flags and recognise inappropriate behaviours. It will also contain clear procedures on reporting mechanisms and how to respond to situations that arise. It will also mandate the need for stringent background checks of staff.

A CPP cultivates a culture of vigilance and accountability, thus minimising the risks to children. Such risks include abuse, bullying and online harms. When incidents occur, the complexities involved can be overwhelming for educators, who may not be sure how to address them effectively. The CPP guides them to handle such situations appropriately, with the child’s interests as the paramount factor.

Educational institutions have to be safe learning environments. The recent cases of incidents involving teachers serve as a stark reminder of the importance of, and urgent need for, a CPP in schools. We need to do better to safeguard our children.

Hana Alhadad
Senior Consultant
Aware