EDUCATION OFFICERS (Disciplinary action)

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua asked the Minister for Education (a) how many Education Officers have been disciplined by his Ministry or referred to the police, from 1996-2000; and (b) how many of these cases related to the molestation or abuse of students.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Dr Aline K. Wong) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, from 1996 to 2000, a total of 186 discipline cases involving Education Officers were handled by the Ministry.

Of these 186 cases, 17 were referred to the police. Of these cases referred to the police, eight were cases related to students comprising six cases of alleged molest and two for improper use of corporal punishment on students.

The bulk of cases dealt with by the Public Service Commission or my Ministry's own disciplinary proceedings are not related to students. For those cases related to students, these were cases of improper use of corporal punishment.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua: Sir, notwithstanding the small incidence, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether there are sufficient avenues for students to approach the schools should such instances arise.

Dr Aline Wong: Yes, in fact, students are encouraged to speak up if instances like these occur. With the introduction of the sexuality education package in our schools, beginning with the upper primary school level, we will encourage students to be open and talk to someone they trust if such instances occur. In most of the cases in the past, they have been reported by the parents either to the school or directly to the Police.

Mr Iswaran: May I ask the Senior Minister of State whether there is any training given to teachers to detect unusual behaviour or other symptoms that might be indicative of such grave problems in school?

Dr Aline Wong: Principals, as part of their duties, are always alert to what is happening in the school. They have also been given guidelines, in the Principals' Handbook, on discipline and the code of conduct which is expected of the teachers and staff members. But having said that, all these things are not foolproof. With all the screening, with all the precautionary measures, sometimes things can still happen.