SINGAPORE: Eight months after the death of a 15-year-old student during a school expedition in the Maldives, St Joseph’s Institution International (SJII) confirmed that its internal investigation remains incomplete, as Maldivian authorities have yet to share the outcome of their own inquiry.
The tragedy, which occurred on 8 November 2024, involved Singaporean student Jenna Chan.
She was fatally struck by a boat’s propeller while snorkelling near Dhigurah island, part of the Alif Dhaalu Atoll.
The activity was part of a National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) expedition conducted in collaboration with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.
SJII, an independent international school, had commissioned an internal review of its protocols and overseas expedition safety processes following the incident.
However, in a written statement dated 10 July 2025, principal Michael Johnston told The Straits Times that no findings had been shared with the school by the Maldivian authorities, despite repeated attempts to engage with them and the boat crew involved.
Johnston confirmed that officers from the Maldives Police Service, supported by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), visited the school in May 2025 to conduct interviews with students and a teacher who had been part of the trip.
He stated that the school followed its standard protocols for overseas trips in approving the Maldives expedition. These included a review of the provider’s safety procedures and an internal risk assessment.
According to the school, these measures are part of routine checks applied to all SJII trips.
Johnston added that SJII is now working with other international schools and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to improve sector-wide safety standards, and to facilitate knowledge-sharing.
MOE not investigating SJII’s school management, citing safety protocol adherence
Responding to media queries on 15 July, the Ministry of Education said it would not be investigating SJII’s management.
A ministry spokesperson stated that the school had followed its safety processes for overseas trips and that MOE had engaged with the school’s board of governors.
The ministry clarified that as a privately funded institution, SJII operates outside the mainstream education system.
These schools, which cater to international students and Singaporeans seeking alternative education models, possess autonomy in operations, policies, and governance.
MOE confirmed that Singaporean authorities do not have jurisdiction to investigate incidents that occur abroad.
However, the SPF has continued assisting the Maldivian authorities in their ongoing investigation.
Victim’s parent: “No public accountability. No closure”
Alan Chan, Jenna’s father, has publicly questioned the regulatory framework governing privately funded schools in Singapore.
In an interview with The ST, Chan said he hopes MOE can adopt a greater oversight role, especially concerning student welfare and reporting obligations in serious incidents.
“This gap seems the most straightforward to fix,” said Chan, 59. “It’s too late for my family, but I hope to prevent the same fate from befalling others.”
On 15 July, Chan published a Facebook post criticising the school’s decision to resume overseas expeditions despite the unresolved investigation.
“No public accountability. No closure. How many more children must pay the price for institutional arrogance?” he wrote.
Chan launched online petition calling on the government to close the regulatory loophole for Privately Funded Schools
Chan has since launched a petition calling on the government to address the regulatory gap around Privately Funded Schools (PFS).
The petition urges MOE to introduce mandatory, transparent reporting requirements and standardised safety protocols across all schools, regardless of funding model.
The petition has gathered 1,642 signatures at time of writing.
In a follow-up post responding to MOE’s comments, Chan expressed concern that SJII had effectively avoided scrutiny by relying on its own internal protocols.
“This should concern every parent in Singapore,” he wrote. “SJII wrote its own procedures, followed its own rules, and walked away without scrutiny. MOE will not step in—even when a child has died on an international school trip.”
Chan added that there was no external review of whether SJII’s safety practices were either competent or enforced.
“While one family buries their daughter, the school moves on,” he said.
Chan warned parents considering international or PFS institutions: “There is no regulator. No oversight. No protection. If something goes wrong, you are on your own.”
He reiterated his call for systemic reforms: “Close the PFS loophole. Enforce accountability. Protect our children. No more tragedies hidden behind institutional silence.”
School resumes overseas expeditions despite lack of findings
According to The ST, SJII has resumed its outdoor education expeditions, with trips planned for November 2025.
These expeditions are compulsory for Grade 9 students, equivalent to Singapore’s Secondary 3 level.
Parents interviewed by the paper, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed concern and frustration that the school had proceeded with such programmes while investigations were still incomplete.
The students were offered nine expedition choices this year.
These included: a biodiversity and research programme in Kinabatangan, Sabah, a pilgrimage trek in Japan, a Himalayan rafting trip in Dehradun, India; sea kayaking in Langkawi, and a local sailing and rainforest exploration in Singapore.
Some parents expressed concern over the school’s lack of clarity regarding updated safety measures following the 2024 incident. They questioned whether the evaluation of service providers had become more stringent, admitting continued worry over upcoming trips.
They also expected a follow-up review to allow feedback on safety protocols and trip objectives. At a May 2025 session, parents raised questions about vetting, emergency plans, and staff-to-student ratios.
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