The three-year average number of confirmed child mismanagement cases increased from 11 per 100,000 children in 2022, to 12 per 100,000 children in 2023. - Photo: Lianhe Zaobao
SINGAPORE: The number of child abuse cases investigated by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) increased to 147 cases in 2023, from 137 cases in 2022.
The three-year average number of confirmed child mismanagement cases increased from 11 per 100,000 children in 2022, to 12 per 100,000 children in 2023, said Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli on July 2 in a written reply to a parliamentary question by Melvin Yong (Radin Mas).
The three-year average refers to the average number of substantiated child mismanagement cases per 100,000 children enrolled over the most recent three-year period.
Yong had asked about the number of child abuse cases in pre-schools over the past five years and whether measures are being implemented to help pre-school teachers cope with the demands of their jobs.
Masagos said: “The increase in the number of investigations and substantiated child mismanagement cases can be attributed to increased vigilance and awareness of appropriate reporting channels among parents and educators.”
In August 2023, ECDA said that closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be made mandatory in all pre-schools and government-funded early intervention centres by July 1, 2024.
The CCTV cameras will be required in key access points and areas used by children, such as classrooms, activity rooms, play areas within the premises, and infant napping rooms.
This followed two cases of child mismanagement in Kinderland’s pre-school centres, Woodlands Mart and Sunshine Place, that came to light on Aug 28, 2023.
Videos of former teacher Lin Min allegedly mistreating children under her care, including a 23-month-old girl, were posted online. In one video, she is seen allegedly forcing the girl to lie down, and pouring water into her mouth.
In a separate video that also emerged in the same month, another teacher at a different centre was seen “forcefully pushing” a three-year-old child.
It was reported in February 2024 that since the incidents, Kinderland was fined S$10,000 and ECDA has conducted frequent unannounced checks on Kinderland’s classroom management practices, and continued to monitor the other centres closely.
“All educators are expected to provide a safe and conducive environment for children,” Masagos said, adding that it has strengthened its training programmes to ensure educators are clear on their obligations to ensure child safety.
He said that it is also reviewing its regulatory framework to increase penalties for operators who violate regulations.
To improve educators’ well-being and working conditions, he said that ECDA has removed the requirement for childcare centres to operate on Saturdays from 2025.
Pre-schools will also have two additional holidays – Teachers’ Day and Children’s Day, on top of the six days when pre-schools are currently allowed to close each year for organisational activities, such as curriculum planning and staff training, he added.
“This allows educators more time to rest and focus on their development,” Masagos said, adding that ECDA is also looking to implement a relief staff pool to help educators take time off. - The Straits Times/ANN
