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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
SJI International resumes overseas trips amid ongoing probe into student's death in Maldives in 2024
SINGAPORE – St Joseph's Institution (SJI) International has resumed its outdoor education expeditions, about a year after its 15-year-old Singaporean student Jenna Chan died on one of these trips in the Maldives. This comes as investigations into the incident on Nov 8, 2024, are ongoing. An internal review of the school's overseas trip protocols and safety processes, commissioned soon after the tragedy, is still under way. Reports indicated the SJI International student was fatally struck by the propeller of a running boat while snorkelling near Alif Dhaalu Atoll's Dhigurah island, where she was participating in a research project with charity Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. In a written reply to The Straits Times on July 10, Dr Michael Johnston, principal of SJI International, said the Maldivian authorities hold primary investigative powers. No findings have been shared with the school despite attempts to engage them, the related organisations and the boat crew, he added. He said officers from the Maldives Police Service, assisted by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), came to the school in May 2025 to interview students and a teacher who had been on the trip. ST contacted the Maldivian authorities, but did not receive a reply. In response to queries, a Ministry of Education (MOE) spokeswoman on July 15 said the ministry has been in touch with the school's board of governors, and that it will not be investigating its management. The school had followed its safety processes for overseas trips, she added. The Singapore authorities do not have legal jurisdiction to investigate incidents abroad, she said, adding that the SPF has been assisting the Maldivian authorities with the case. Parents of students at the school, speaking on condition of anonymity, are calling for more transparency and updates as expeditions have resumed. The trips, set to be held in November, are compulsory for Grade 9 students, which is equivalent to the Secondary 3 level. In briefing slides seen by ST, which were presented to parents and students in May, students were given nine options. These include a biodiversity and research programme in Kinabatangan, Sabah; a pilgrimage trek in Japan; a Himalayan rafting expedition in Dehradun, India; sea kayaking in Langkawi; and the only local option, a sailing and rainforest exploration in Singapore. On the 2024 incident, the parent of a Grade 9 boy said the school failed to clearly outline safety measures taken, acknowledge missteps, or explain next steps. He said he would like more reassurance that the school has 'toughened up' the way it evaluates service providers. 'I'll be lying if I told you we were not worried.' A retiree in her 50s, who has a daughter in Grade 10, said she was expecting a follow-up review for parents to give their feedback on these expeditions, discuss their objectives, and where the school's safety procedures should be improved. Some parents acknowledged the benefits of outdoor programmes but wanted more information about the service providers chosen by the school. During a session in May, parents asked about the school's vetting processes, emergency and safety procedures, and details like staff-to-student ratio. The school should be open about the number of service providers it vets, its selection and risk assessment process, said a parent of a 16-year-old student. The 53-year-old, who works in the healthcare industry, added: 'It is not enough to say that a provider was 'well-regarded' or had been used before.' Dr Johnston said the school had applied the same checks it uses for all trips before approving the Maldives expedition. This included reviewing the provider's safety procedures and doing its own risk assessment of the activities. He added that the school is working closely with other international schools and MOE to strengthen safety standards and share lessons across the sector. Mr Alan Chan, Jenna's father, told ST he hopes that MOE can also have greater oversight over the operations of privately funded schools in areas related to student welfare and reporting of serious incidents. Mr Chan, 59, who is retired, said: 'I'm focusing on this gap because it seems the most straightforward to fix. It's too late for my family, but I hope to prevent the same fate from befalling others.' The MOE spokeswoman said that privately funded schools, including SJI International, are for international students and locals who prefer an alternative schooling option. 'These schools are outside the mainstream school system and have autonomy over their operations, policies and governance.' MOE engages such schools to share practices, including overseas trip planning and safety measures. Jenna's incident has reinforced the need for strong safety guidelines when organising overseas trips, said Mr Delane Lim, secretary-general of the Outdoor Learning & Adventure Education Association. In January, the association published guidelines detailing training and certification requirements to ensure activities are conducted safely and proficiently. While the guidelines are designed for local programmes, Mr Lim said schools can refer to them when vetting operators abroad and evaluating programme safety, especially in unfamiliar settings. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here


CNA
7 days ago
- CNA
SJI International student's death being investigated as ‘negligent death': Maldives police
SINGAPORE: The death of a 15-year-old student during an overseas school trip in the Maldives more than eight months ago is currently being investigated as a 'case of negligent death', said the Maldivian police on Tuesday (Jul 22). Jenna Chan's family have been kept informed of the investigation process through email, but no official documents related to the investigation have been shared with them, added the police in an email response to CNA's queries. Jenna, a student at St Joseph's Institution International (SJII), died during a National Youth Achievement Award expedition on Nov 8. According to Maldivian news outlet the Edition, she was fatally struck by the propeller of a reversing boat while snorkelling near Dhigurah Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll. The teenager's parents told CNA last week that they had heard little from either the Maldivian authorities or SJII. However, the school maintained that it has made extensive efforts to piece together a full account of what happened. Its CEO Michael Johnston said the school had not received any information of documents from the Maldivian authorities on their investigation, despite repeated requests. The Maldivian police said on Tuesday that the family had 'informally requested to meet and question certain individuals connected to the case'. 'Under Maldivian law, it is not permitted to facilitate such interactions through the police, and therefore, no arrangements have been made in this regard,' the police added. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES UNDER SCRUTINY In their response, the police confirmed that an initial report prepared by the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) – the external vendor that conducted the trip – was received and included in the investigation. Dr Johnston had said the school did not have access to evidence from the Maldivian boat crew or staff from the MWSRP, which meant SJII could not have a complete picture of what happened. The police said they are also analysing the standard operating procedures relating to the incident, as well as documents from other state institutions. 'Once the relevant documentation is complete, further information will be disclosed,' it added. 'Since the commencement of the investigation, all developments have been shared and discussed with the Prosecutor General's Office to ensure that, if any party is found to have been negligent, appropriate legal action will be taken upon conclusion of the case.' The police also said that at this stage, it is unable to disclose details of the tour operator involved. 'The Maldives Police Service is currently verifying the authenticity and role of the parties primarily responsible for organising this programme in the Maldives. Relevant information is still being compiled,' it added. In May, officers from the Maldives Police Service flew to Singapore to interview four students and a teacher who had been on the trip. Dr Johnston confirmed that SJII facilitated the interviews. Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) said last week that it would not be investigating SJII's handling of the incident, citing adherence to the school's overseas trip safety protocols. MOE also noted that SJII, as a privately funded school, operates independently of the mainstream education system.


CNA
17-07-2025
- General
- CNA
'There's no moving on': 8 months on, parents of teen who died in Maldives still searching for answers
SINGAPORE: Eight months after their daughter's death on a school trip to the Maldives, the parents of 15-year-old Jenna Chan say they are still waiting for answers. Jenna, a student at St Joseph's Institution International (SJII), died during a National Youth Achievement Award expedition on Nov 8. According to Maldivian news outlet the Edition, she was fatally struck by the propeller of a reversing boat while snorkelling near Dhigurah Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll. Her parents said they have heard little from either the Maldivian authorities or SJII. The school, however, maintained that it has made extensive efforts to piece together a full account of what happened. In a response to CNA on Wednesday (Jul 16), SJII CEO Michael Johnston said the school has not received any information or documents from the Maldivian authorities on their investigation, despite repeated requests. He added that the school also has no access to evidence from the Maldivian boat crew or staff from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), the external vendor that conducted the trip. 'Until the MWSRP allows the school access, or the Maldives Police Service releases its report on the incident, the school does not have the complete picture of what happened,' he said. Dr Johnston said SJII has reached out to Jenna's family on multiple occasions but has also been 'deeply mindful of their immense loss' and aimed to be respectful and sensitive in all interactions. 'I can assure you that we have been unrelenting in our efforts to piece together a full account of what has happened,' he added. Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Tuesday it would not be investigating SJII's handling of the incident, citing adherence to the school's overseas trip safety protocols. MOE also noted that SJII, as a privately funded school, operates independently of the mainstream education system. AGONISING SEARCH FOR ANSWERS Jenna's parents told CNA that they still have no official explanation for how she died or who may be responsible. Feeling they had no choice, they began their own investigation. Jenna's mother, Dr Jennifer Liauw, said some of the school's efforts to reach out focused more on remembrance than answers. 'They're talking about a memorial book, but I need an (investigation) report. I don't care for all these platitudes, I need to know what happened to my child,' said Dr Liauw, 54. The family launched a website, Justice for Jenna, which includes a video outlining what they believe occurred and a list of questions they say remain unanswered. In April, Jenna's father, Mr Alan Chan, travelled to the Maldives to seek answers. There, the 59-year-old obtained several CT scans detailing Jenna's injuries but said he received no substantial updates from the police on how the investigation was progressing. In May, officers from the Maldives Police Service flew to Singapore to interview four students and a teacher who had been on the trip. Dr Johnston confirmed that SJII facilitated the interviews. 'As the incident occurred in the Maldives, the powers of investigation rest in the hands of the Maldivian authorities, and the Maldives Police Service is still conducting its investigations,' said Dr Johnston. Mr Chan has also contacted Singapore agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), but said this had not helped his push for information. In response to CNA's queries to several government agencies including MFA and the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Ministry of Education said the Singapore government has been in contact with the family since the incident and is providing support where possible, "within the ambit of our laws and regulations". A ministry spokesperson reiterated that Singapore authorities do not have legal jurisdiction to investigate incidents that happen overseas. 'Nonetheless, the SPF has been rendering assistance to the Maldivian authorities who have primary responsibility and jurisdiction over the case.' CNA has also made repeated attempts to contact the Maldives Police Service for more information. Calls to the main hotline listed on the agency's website were answered by an operator, who confirmed that CNA's email queries had been received. The operator said the case was being handled by a separate department and advised calling them directly. However, repeated calls to that department went unanswered. Follow-up attempts to reach the main hotline were subsequently disconnected. INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE SCHOOL Mr Chan said that in the days following Jenna's death, the school collected statements from students who had been on the trip. However, he said SJII initially delayed sharing those accounts with the family. 'They deflected (saying) it's a legal matter under police investigations … they spun that line for a long time,' said Mr Chan. Dr Johnston said a board subcommittee was established to review the school's overseas expedition protocols immediately after the incident. 'This review cannot be fully completed until the investigations from the Maldivian authorities are concluded and shared with us,' he said. Mr Chan said he and Dr Liauw also sought help from their MP for Holland-Bukit Timah, Sim Ann, who intervened on their behalf. Ms Sim confirmed that she had "made representations to relevant parties" and relayed the school's offer to meet the parents. She also visited SJII with Minister of State for Education Jasmin Lau to convey the parents' need for more information. Following that meeting, Mr Chan said the school arranged a session for the couple to review student statements and receive an update on the school's internal investigations. Dr Liauw said they declined the offer. She called it 'unacceptable' that the offer only came eight months after their daughter's death. Ms Sim, who also serves as Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said MFA colleagues have been providing consular support to the family and remain in contact with the Maldivian authorities. 'MFA always endeavours to do so, to the best of our ability, whenever Singaporeans confront trouble or tragedy overseas,' she said. SCHOOL TO RESUME OVERSEAS TRIPS The family said they were dismayed to learn that SJII planned to resume overseas expeditions even as investigations into Jenna's death remained incomplete. Dr Liauw said she was 'still patiently waiting for recourse' when she found out in May that the school had announced new overseas trips. A slide listing nine expeditions scheduled for November – including sea kayaking in Langkawi, a Himalayan rafting expedition in India and a horse-riding programme in Australia – was seen by CNA. Although the school had contacted her before the announcement, Dr Liauw said she was upset the decision had been made before the investigation was concluded. 'It's as if she never existed, that's how I feel,' said Dr Liauw. Dr Johnston responded that outdoor education has been a core part of SJII's curriculum since the school was founded and remains important for students' holistic development. 'We can confirm that the outdoor expeditions have resumed but the school has ceased all expeditions to the Maldives,' he said. He added that SJII conducts a 'rigorous and continuous review' of its expedition partners and programme structure. SJII on its vetting process SJII takes vetting of overseas expeditions seriously, said Dr Johnston. 'We can assure you that the same rigorous vetting procedures were followed before the students were allowed to go on the Maldives expedition,' he said. He added that it was also not the first time such an expedition had been arranged with the MWSRP. 'Amongst others, the school conducted a pre-expedition risk and safety assessment and reviewed the MWSRP's own standard operating procedures and risk assessment matrix,' he said. 'Unfortunately, despite the school's best precautions, the incident occurred.' He added that on an ongoing basis, the following assessments and measures are undertaken by the school's outdoor education team: A comprehensive risk assessment framework conducted in conjunction with the MWSRP leadership team, as well as a 'comprehensive duty of care assessment' undertaken before every expedition. A comprehensive expedition standard operating procedure implementation plan covering all stages of the expedition, including staff contacts, transportation, accommodation, communications, nearest medical facilities, evacuation planning and first-aid provisions. A dynamic risk assessment process that allows staff to reassess plans in response to any changes, with 24/7 access to International SOS and the school duty management team. Alignment of the school's standard operating procedures with ISO31031 – an international standard for travel risk management. "THIS FIGHT IS NOT FOR US" For Jenna's parents, the fight for answers is about more than closure. 'On a personal level we would say Jenna cannot have died for nothing,' said Mr Chan. 'But on a more societal level, we want to make sure that if there are gaps in regulation or loopholes, to basically prevent this from happening to other people in future.' Dr Liauw said her daughter would have wanted her friends to be safe – and that is what drives her to keep pushing for accountability. 'My daughter, she loves her friends and she will never want her friends to be in danger,' she said. 'This fight is not for us … I'm fighting this because it's wrong, no family should have to go through this.' Since the incident, Dr Liauw has had to reduce her workload as a colorectal surgeon due to the emotional strain. At home, she said, the loss is felt most acutely in quiet, everyday moments – especially mealtimes, now shared by just three people, including Jenna's older sister. 'Jenna loves our dinners, she'd often ask me what is for dinner,' Dr Liauw said tearfully. 'It's a 15-year-old child at the peak of her life.' She added that Jenna had hoped to become a geriatrician – an ambition she thought was rare and remarkable for someone so young. 'I can tell you honestly, there's no moving on,' she said. 'The day she died, we died.'


CNA
15-07-2025
- General
- CNA
MOE not investigating SJI International for student's death during Maldives school trip
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) said on Tuesday (Jul 15) it will not be investigating the management of St Joseph's Institution International (SJII) for the death of a student during a school trip to the Maldives in November 2024. The student, 15-year-old Singaporean Jenna Chan, died during a National Youth Achievement Award overseas expedition in the Maldives, Dr Michael Johnston, the school's CEO, previously told CNA. In response to CNA queries, MOE said it has been "closely engaging" the school's board of governors, which oversees its operations and policies, and that it understands the school has safety processes in place for overseas trips. These safety processes were adhered to for the Maldives trip, said MOE, and as such, the ministry will not be investigating the school's management. "We also understand that the Board has convened a board-led review into the incident, which includes a review of SJII's safety processes. We have encouraged the parents and SJII to work together to find out the cause of the incident." MOE added that privately funded schools (PFSs) - schools catering to international students and local students who prefer an alternative schooling option - such as SJII are "outside the mainstream school system and have autonomy over their operations, policies and governance". As such, the school's activities are mostly not under MOE's purview. "To support the safety and well-being of Singaporean students in PFSs, MOE conducts regular exchanges with PFSs to share best practices, including on overseas trips planning considerations and safety measures which they can incorporate into their policies and processes, taking into consideration their specific circumstances and activities," said MOE. "We will continue to work with SJII to support the family during this difficult period." MOE also said that the Singapore government has been in contact with the student's family since the incident and is "providing support where possible, within the ambit of our laws and regulations". It added that while Singapore authorities do not have legal jurisdiction to investigate incidents that happen outside the country, the Singapore Police Force has been assisting the Maldivian authorities, who have primary responsibility and jurisdiction over the case.

Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
SJI International resumes overseas trips amid ongoing probe into student's death in Maldives in 2024
SINGAPORE - St Joseph's Institution (SJI) International has resumed its outdoor education expeditions, about a year after its 15-year-old Singaporean student Jenna Chan died on one of these trips in Maldives. This comes as investigations into the incident on Nov 8, 2024 are ongoing. An internal review of the school's overseas trip protocols and safety processes, commissioned soon after the tragedy, is also still underway. Reports indicated she was fatally struck by the propeller of a running boat while snorkelling near Alif Dhaalu Atoll's Dhigurah island, where she was participating in a research project with charity Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. In a written reply to The Straits Times, Dr Michael Johnston, principal of SJI International, said Maldivian authorities hold primary investigative powers. Despite attempts to engage them, related organisations, and the boat crew, no findings have been shared with the school. The school has been supporting the Maldivian authorities, he added. The latest engagement was in May 2025, when officers from the Maldives Police Service, assisted by the Singapore Police Force, came here to interview students and a teacher who had been on the trip, he said. ST contacted the Maldivian authorities, but did not receive a reply. In response to queries, an MOE spokeswoman said the ministry has been in touch with the school's board of governors, and it will not be investigating its management. The school had adhered to its safety processes for overseas trips, she said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Parents of students at the school, speaking on condition of anonymity, are calling for more transparency and updates as expeditions have resumed. The trips, set to be held in November, are compulsory for the school's Grade 9 students, which is equivalent to the Secondary 3 level. In briefing slides seen by ST, which were presented to parents and students in May, students were given nine options. These includes a biodiversity and research programme in Kinabatangan, Sabah; a pilgrimage trek in Japan; a Himalayan rafting expedition in Dehradun, India; sea kayaking in Langkawi and the only local option, a sailing and rainforest exploration in Singapore. Students, who are currently in the midst of choosing their trips, look forward to these trips, said a parent in his 50s, who works in the tech industry. Regarding the 2024 incident, the parent of a Grade 9 boy said the school failed to clearly outline safety measures taken, acknowledge missteps, or explain next steps. 'I would like more reassurance... in terms of (the school) saying they have toughened up the way they evaluated the party providers,' he said. 'I'll be lying if I told you we were not worried.' Another parent, a retiree in her 50s, who has a daughter in Grade 10, said: 'I was expecting a follow-up review so we can give our feedback, be it online or better still, a townhall, to discuss these expeditions, their objectives, educational outcomes, and where the school's safety procedures ought to be improved.' Some parents acknowledged the benefits of outdoor programmes but wanted more information about the service providers chosen by the school. During an information session in May, parents raised questions about its vetting processes, emergency and safety procedures, and staff-to-student ratio details. The school should be open about the number of service providers it vets, its selection and risk assessment process, said a 53-year-old parent of a 16-year-old student. The parent, who works in the healthcare industry, said about Jenna's incident: 'It is not enough to say that a provider was 'well-regarded' or had been used before.' What mattered was whether safety protocols were in place and if those were understood, followed on the ground, she added. Dr Johnston said the school had applied the same checks it uses for all trips before approving the Maldives expedition. This included reviewing the provider's safety procedures and doing its own risk assessment of the activities. He added that the school is also working closely with other international schools and MOE to strengthen safety standards and share lessons across the sector. Mr Alan Chan, Jenna's father, told ST that he hopes that MOE can have a greater oversight over the operations of privately-funded schools - beyond mainstream schools - in areas that are related to student welfare and reporting of serious incidents. Mr Chan, 59, who is currently unemployed, said: 'I'm focusing on this gap because it seems the most straightforward to fix. It's too late for my family, but I hope to prevent the same fate from befalling others.' The MOE spokeswoman said that privately funded schools, including SJI International, are for international students and locals who prefer an alternative schooling option. 'These schools are outside the mainstream school system and have autonomy over their operations, policies and governance.' The ministry engages such schools to share practices including overseas trip planning and safety measures. Jenna's incident has reinforced the need for strong safety guidelines and duty of care when organising overseas trips, said Mr Delane Lim, secretary-general of Outdoor Learning & Adventure Education Association. In January, the association representing outdoor and adventure education providers and professionals published guidelines detailing training and certification requirements to ensure activities are conducted safely and proficiently. Although these recommendations are designed for local programmes, schools and providers engaging overseas partners can refer to it when vetting operators abroad and evaluating programme safety, especially in unfamiliar settings, Mr Lim said. These practices apply to all schools whether they are governed by MOE or not, he said.