Adjournment motion on respectful and harassment-free workplaces for teachers and educators

Form a tripartite workgroup to create a framework on building respectful and harassment-free workplaces for teachers and educators - this is what labour MP Patrick Tay suggested in Parliament on Monday (Nov 11). He said this will allow teachers' and educators’ voices to be heard. Mr Tay said the framework could aim to provide educational institutions with the following - a common definition of abuse and harassment and a consistent set of standards to safeguard staff; recommended protocols for response, reporting and post-incident management; and recommended follow-up actions to be taken against perpetrators, including stronger penalties and interventions for adult offenders. In response, Minister of State for Education Gan Siow Huang said teachers and educators can already seek help from the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices if they face harassment. If teachers or non-teaching staff face or witness such incidents, they should reach out to school leaders or the Ministry of Education (MOE), which will not hesitate to take action against perpetrators, including filing a police report where necessary. To support recovery, professional counselling and alternative work arrangements or leave are available. Ms Gan said MOE human resources (HR) works closely with teachers’ unions, holding regular dialogues on ground issues and specific cases. The unions also gave input for MOE’s new Engagement Charter which specifically addresses expected conduct in parent-teacher interactions, she said.