Singapore – Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli said on November 6 that the Early Childhood Education Authority (ECDA) will use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the way it reviews surveillance camera footage during investigations into suspected misconduct in kindergartens.
He was responding in a written parliamentary reply to Mr Ng See Xuan (Sembawang GRC), who asked whether the Ministry of Social and Family Development would consider leveraging AI to detect fraud in CCTV recordings and mandating tamper-proof recording systems to prevent unauthorized deletion.
The surveillance camera
Mandatory in all kindergartens and government-funded early intervention centers
Masagos said ECDA is working with video analytics providers to develop AI solutions that can detect safety hazards and potential illegal activities in kindergartens.
These could be adopted under the agency’s Early Childhood Industry Digital Plan, which provides funding to help kindergartens implement digital technologies to increase productivity, support educators and improve services.
He added that all kindergartens must install surveillance cameras and comply with ECDA’s regulatory requirements regarding camera installation and maintenance, and the collection, storage and submission of footage.
“Although the ECDA does not specify the type of CCTV camera system that must be installed, for example whether it must be a tamper-proof recording system, kindergartens must provide CCTV footage to facilitate investigations if requested by the ECDA,” he said.
Masagos said the agency will take decisive action against errant operators and individuals who fail to meet regulatory requirements. Individuals who refuse to provide required CCTV footage without reasonable excuse, or who tamper with or destroy CCTV footage, can be subject to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
In the previous incident, Teo Guan Huat (61), a former kindergarten cook,
On October 27, he admitted to sexually assaulting three girls between the ages of 1 and 2.
From May to November 2023, she took a nap at school. His crime was caught on the school’s surveillance camera, but the footage was deleted and police were only notified a few weeks later.
Mr Masagos said the ECDA does not require operators to regularly review CCTV footage. “(This) can increase the administrative burden on educators and take time and attention away from their primary role of caring for and nurturing children,” he said.
He added that surveillance cameras in kindergartens are part of existing measures to ensure the safety of children.
He said operators must set standard operating procedures for child safety and ensure that all centers and staff implement these effectively.
Child management practices also need to be supervised by principals, including regular walks to observe staff and children’s interactions.
Staff must also be empowered and provided with the means to report inappropriate behavior to principals and management.
“Everyone must do their part to provide a safe and secure environment for our preschools,” Masagos said.
