SINGAPORE — The legal system has delivered a strong message regarding child protection after the former vice-principal and executive director of a pre-school were sentenced for their roles in covering up a molestation case involving a cook at the institution. The District Court, presided over by Judge Sharmila Sripathy-Shanaz, deemed their actions to be a severe betrayal of trust.
Details of the Case
The vice-principal, aged 49, received a sentence of three months and two weeks in jail, while the executive director, 59, was sentenced to four months. These women, who were in senior management, conspired to conceal the sexual abuse of three toddlers aged between one and two years by Teo Guan Huat, a 61-year-old cook, who was sentenced to over nine years in prison for his crimes.
The Shock of Discovery
The vice-principal discovered the inappropriate behaviour while reviewing CCTV footage for another matter on 16 November 2023. Unfortunately, instead of reporting the incident immediately, she forwarded the footage to the executive director and principal, who were abroad attending a course on child protection.
Conspiracy to Hide the Truth
- During a WhatsApp discussion, the vice-principal and executive director discussed the possibility of suppressing the evidence.
- The duo, concerned about the repercussions for the pre-school, deliberated on whether to inform the authorities.
- The executive director expressed fear of damaging the school’s reputation and even suggested that the two-year-old victim, who was asleep at the time, may not have been significantly affected.
Eventually, they chose to delete crucial footage, with the vice-principal reformating the hard disks of the CCTV system under the executive director’s instruction. However, the police later retrieved the footage after a report was made on 2 December 2023.
Consequences and Reactions
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) responded by fining the pre-school S$26,200 and placing restrictions on new enrolments, citing the severe lapses in child safety. The agency also took action against other senior management members, banning three of them from working in the sector.
Judge Sripathy-Shanaz pointed out that such cases represent some of the most horrendous acts of abuse in a pre-school setting in Singapore. The judge firmly stated that the primary responsibility of educators is to protect children, who cannot advocate for themselves.
Looking Ahead
As the legal proceedings continue, the principal of the pre-school awaits sentencing, having also pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident. This shocking case highlights the critical importance of accountability in child welfare and the role of educational institutions in safeguarding their young charges.