A former preschool principal who failed to report the molestation of a toddler by a school cook was sentenced to 10 days’ jail on Wednesday, despite prosecutors seeking a fine of at least S$8,000 (about RM27,800).
The 62-year-old woman, who cannot be named due to a court gag order protecting the victim’s identity, pleaded guilty to failing to report the offence. A separate charge of conspiring to obstruct justice was taken into consideration during sentencing.
In delivering the sentence, the judge highlighted the “striking” irony that the principal had been attending a child protection training course when she first became aware of the abuse. The court stressed that safeguarding responsibilities must be fully internalised, not treated as a mere procedural requirement.
The judge also described the case as a “sobering reminder” that those entrusted with young children carry a profound duty of care, warning that failure to act can allow offenders to continue posing a risk to others.
The cook involved, 61-year-old Teo Guan Huat, was earlier sentenced in November to more than nine years’ jail for molesting three toddlers during naptime over a seven-month period in 2023.
The abuse came to light on November 16, 2023, after the vice-principal discovered incriminating CCTV footage while reviewing recordings for an unrelated matter, triggering internal discussions among senior staff.
Subsequent actions by management included attempts to delete or overwrite CCTV evidence, with hard drives later reformatted before police were informed. However, investigators were still able to recover key footage.
Following the incident, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) imposed a S$26,200 (about RM91,000) fine on the preschool, restricted new enrolments and shortened its licence period. Several senior staff members were also barred from working in the sector, while others received jail sentences.
In sentencing, the court said the principal’s inaction was driven by self-interest and could have allowed a sexual predator to remain at large, describing such motivations as highly aggravating.
