Teacher Suspended and Resigned Following Allegations of Misconduct
SINGAPORE: The police are investigating an incident in which a preschool teacher allegedly kicked a five-year-old girl in the shin at a childcare centre.
According to a spokesperson from the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), the incident took place on April 2, when the teacher reportedly kicked the child to make her sit properly. The incident was reported to the ECDA on April 3, and an investigation was promptly initiated.
Following the inquiry, the preschool took immediate action by suspending the teacher from duties. The teacher resigned shortly after the suspension and has not worked in the preschool sector since, as confirmed by ECDA.
“ECDA has completed its investigations and taken regulatory actions against the preschool operator and teacher involved,” the agency stated. However, due to ongoing police investigations, further details could not be disclosed.
In response to inquiries, the police confirmed that a report had been lodged, and the investigation is ongoing. The ECDA emphasized that all preschools are required by law to report any serious incidents affecting the safety of children within 24 hours. The agency follows up on such incidents with unannounced visits, interviews, and record verification, taking immediate action if allegations are substantiated.
The ECDA reiterated that preschool operators must ensure the safety of children through systematic safety measures and appropriate interaction methods by educators. It also requires preschool operators to seek approval before hiring staff, ensuring that educators are qualified and have no prior offenses, particularly involving the mistreatment of children.
Last year, multiple incidents of alleged ill-treatment by teachers surfaced, including a high-profile case involving the Kinderland preschool group. In response to these cases, ECDA has mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in all preschools by July 2024 to enhance child safety.
