31-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) A 56-year-old Singaporean woman, formerly employed as a preschool teacher, appeared in court on Wednesday to face charges of child abuse. The case, which has sent shockwaves through the early childhood education sector, involves the alleged kicking of a four-year-old girl under her care.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on 2 April, came to light three months after it took place. The accused stands charged with ill-treating a child, specifically by kicking the young girl’s right shin at approximately 11:55 am on the day in question.
Court documents reveal that the woman has been suspended from her position and subsequently resigned from her role. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) confirmed that she has not worked in the preschool sector since the alleged incident.
Previous reports suggest that the motivation behind the alleged kick was to compel the child to sit properly. However, the court has imposed a gag order to protect the identity of the young victim, including any details that might reveal the location of the incident. As such, the name of the accused and specific details about the preschool have been withheld from public disclosure.
During the court proceedings, the defendant did not indicate her intended plea. Her defence team expressed their intention to apply for access to closed-circuit television footage, which could potentially provide crucial evidence in the case.
The gravity of the charges is reflected in the potential penalties. If found guilty of ill-treating a child under the Children and Young Persons Act, the former teacher could face a prison sentence of up to eight years, a fine of up to S$8,000 (approximately US$6,000), or both.
This case has emerged amidst a series of alleged abuse incidents in preschools across Singapore, prompting the ECDA to take decisive action. The agency has stated that it has implemented “regulatory actions against the preschool operator and teacher involved” in this particular case.
In response to the growing concerns about child safety in early education settings, the ECDA has announced a new requirement for all preschools to install closed-circuit television cameras. This measure aims to enhance surveillance and deter potential abuse, while also providing evidence in cases of alleged misconduct.
The accused is scheduled to return to court in September for further proceedings.
