Preventive measures to ensure that educators are not involved in drug-related activities

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong, Jurong GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether there are any measures in place to ensure that educators are not involved in illegal activities, such as drug consumption and possession; and (b) how do public educational institutions collaborate with law enforcement agencies to prevent and address drug-related offences within the education community.

Response

1. MOE expects our educators to uphold the integrity of the profession and live up to the trust placed in them. MOE will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against those to fail to adhere to our standards, including dismissal from service.

2. Beginning teachers are reminded about MOE's zero tolerance approach to drug-related offences before they start teaching in schools. In the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), staff are briefed about their institutions' Codes of Conduct and regulations, which include respect for the rule of law. Teachers are also regularly reminded that they are expected to comply with MOE's Code of Professional Conduct for Educators, which includes reporting colleagues whom they suspect of abusing drugs.

3. MOE works closely with the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on outreach efforts to our educators in our public education institutions. In schools and IHLs, staff are appointed as DrugFreeSG Champions to advocate against drug abuse. CNB and MOE have also been engaging school leaders and educators through various Preventive Drug Education platforms to strengthen anti-drug abuse messaging.