Programmes for Schools to Identify and Support Students with Adverse Childhood Experiences

Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Education what programmes or resources are available within early childhood education and in schools to identify and support students affected by adverse childhood experiences.

I thank Assoc Prof Razwana for raising the Parliamentary Questions on adverse childhood experiences. Building on the measures by the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Health, I will highlight the Ministry of Education's (MOE's) support available to such students in preschools and MOE schools.

Across our preschools and schools, educators are trained to look out for signs of physical, behavioural or emotional changes in our students and recognise signs of child abuse. They work with parents and social service agencies to support those who have gone through adverse childhood experiences. Students in distress are referred to school counsellors and our student welfare officers. Such cases are also reported to the authorities, such as the Early Childhood Development Agency and the Child Protective Service for investigation and intervention.

Our schools also work closely with community partners, such as the REACH, or the Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health, teams so that affected students receive the necessary specialised assistance. We will continue to help these students develop safe and positive relationships in our schools so that the impact of their adverse experiences is reduced.