MSF to investigate alleged childcare abuse incident

SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will conduct a thorough investigation of the alleged childcare abuse incident at My First Skool, said Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing today (July 6).

The investigation will include the training of the centre’s staff, their supervision, and incident management procedures.

The acting minister said the findings will be shared with other childcare operators to allow everyone to learn from it.

Mr Chan added that his ministry is looking at the case very seriously as it concerns the safety of children.

He said: “This is a very timely reminder of the heavy responsibility that all of us have in taking care of children, as childcare operators and also as education providers.

“There are rules in place, there are frameworks in place for the conduct of any activities and lessons and we expect all these rules and frameworks to be followed and of course we will also be looking to see how all this can be improved to give our parents the sense of assurance.”

The minister also said that there are considerations to implement CCTVs across the pre-school sector.

He however cautioned that while such surveillance has been useful in resolving misunderstandings, technology should not be seen as the solution.

The quality and commitment of teachers should be more important, he said.

Mr Chan was speaking on the sidelines of a SCAPE SHARE IT! Community Service Weekend carnival. CHANNEL NEWSASIA