Guidelines for Schools on Family Members Accompanying Teachers on School-Organised Local or Overseas Trips

Asst Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry has any guidelines for schools on family members accompanying their teachers, whether on a paying basis or not, on school-organised local or overseas trips; and (b) whether the presence of family members, especially children, on such trips puts teachers in situations of potential conflict of interests.

Teachers accompany students on local or overseas learning journeys to care for and facilitate the various learning activities during the trip. This role requires much attention and effort from teachers.

Hence, the Ministry does not encourage teachers to bring their family members along on such trips. However, there may be extenuating circumstances that result in schools allowing teachers to have their family members on such trips. In doing so, schools must ensure that the teachers could still carry out their duties effectively, and any cost incurred by the family members must be borne by the teachers themselves.