Reports of Sexual Misconduct Allegations by Institutions under Private Education Act

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat, Aljunied GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether institutions under the Private Education Act must report sexual misconduct allegations to the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA), and how many have SWDA and its predecessor entities received annually since 2021; (b) how many section 18 directions to cease deploying teachers followed; and (c) whether they will be required, like the universities, to have Victim Care Units, no-contact orders and codes of conduct.

Response

1. Private Education Institutions (PEIs) are expected to provide a safe learning environment for their students, and ensure that their teachers are fit and proper persons. PEIs are also expected to address any allegation of sexual misconduct seriously, including making a Police report if a criminal offence may be involved.
2. The Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) has received six reports of sexual misconduct allegations involving PEIs since 2021, three of which involved teaching staff. No directions under section 18 of the Private Education Act (PEA), which requires a PEI to cease deploying a teacher, were issued, as the circumstances of these cases did not require such a direction.
3. As commercial entities, PEIs independently manage their support measures and services, including the provision of care centres and codes of conduct.