Licensing and Suitability Checks for Persons Caring for Children In Private Educational Facilities which Provide Accommodation and Educational Support

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development in light of the alleged abuse of pupils at a private educational facility providing accommodation and educational support (a) which agency regulates such hybrid facilities; (b) why are persons exercising daily care over children not subject to common licensing, suitability and safeguarding requirements; and (c) whether a registry and risk-based inspection regime will be established.

The Senior Minister of State for Social and Family Development (Mr Goh Pei Ming) (for the Minister for Social and Family Development): The Member may wish to refer to the previous written reply to Question No 35 by Member Ng Shi Xuan of the Order Paper on 4 August 2026, which concerned the same case. [Please refer to "Review of Staff Qualifications, Vetting Requirements and Preventive Measures Following Child Abuse Case Involving Unqualified Staff", Official Report, 4 August 2026, Vol 96, Issue 33, Written Answers to Questions section.]

As explained then, the facility concerned is a private accommodation facility and not an educational institution. Even though it provides accommodation services, it does not fall under the regulatory ambit of the Social Residential Homes Act, as it does not provide care to highly vulnerable clients, such as children receiving rehabilitation or protection.

It is not practical to create a regulatory regime for every setting or activity involving children. Instead, the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA) and other offences within the Penal Code, act as a broad framework to deter against child abuse and to punish those who flout the law. It is already an offence for a person to ill-treat the child if he has custody, charge or care of a child. Parents should also exercise due diligence by making reasonable checks on their choice of service provider and monitor their child's well-being.

As shared in previous replies by Ministry of Home Affairs, jobs involving contact with children and young persons under the purview of public agencies already require screening for past offences. The Government has also been considering a framework to expand the scope of screening to cover more types of jobs involving contact with children and young persons. We will share more details when ready.