Singapore Children’s Society: Megan Khung’s death a “collective failure”, urges stronger preschool safeguards

The death of four-year-old Megan Khung was described as a “collective failure of the system” by the Singapore Children’s Society on 9 April 2025, as the charity called for urgent and robust reforms in early childhood education. The statement followed a public update by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on 8 April, which acknowledged lapses in how information was reported and acted upon during the months leading to Megan’s death in February 2020. According to MSF, the social service agency Beyond Social Services (BSS) did not fully convey the seriousness of Megan’s injuries in its reports. This resulted in what MSF termed “inadequate interventions” that might otherwise have protected the child before her death. Megan had been attending the Healthy Start Child Development Centre, operated by BSS. In March 2019, a staff member noticed signs of injury. By September of that year, Megan was withdrawn from preschool. She was killed in February 2020, but her death was only uncovered five months later. Both MSF and BSS released timelines and details on 8 April regarding their respective actions in the lead-up to Megan’s death. It was also revealed that a police report had been lodged in January 2020, the month before she died. Megan suffered prolonged abuse at the hands of her mother, Foo Li Ping, then aged 29, and Foo’s partner Wong Shi Xiang, 38. Wong ultimately delivered the fatal blow.

Preschool teachers flagged abuse early, but inadequate response mechanisms failed to prevent Megan’s death, says charity

The Singapore Children’s Society acknowledged that while there were initial efforts by educators to alert authorities, the system lacked adequate response mechanisms to address the severity of the situation. The charity emphasised that preschool teachers had identified signs of abuse early on and had attempted several times to raise their concerns with relevant agencies, including the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and a Child Protection Specialist Centre (CPSC). “It was a collective failure of the system at that time that had led to the unfortunate demise of Megan,” the society stated, noting that despite attempts to intervene, the processes in place were not sufficient to prevent her death. The statement further criticised MSF’s current recommendations stemming from past child abuse deaths, saying the enhancements proposed still fell short of addressing the real support needs of the preschool sector. The society highlighted the unique role of preschools in observing young children’s well-being, noting that preschool educators are often the first line of visibility outside the home. “Unequivocally, our preschool educators are at a vantage position to keep an eye on the well-being of children, and to spot suspected signs of abuse and neglect,” it said. However, the charity noted that the primary role of preschool educators is to teach and nurture children, not to act as social workers. As such, they must be given the appropriate tools, support, and training to manage the additional responsibility of safeguarding children.

Charity calls for mandatory abuse training and child safety officers in every preschool centre

To this end, the Singapore Children’s Society made two key recommendations. First, it proposed that child protection training be made mandatory for all preschool educators. This should apply both to those in pre-service training and those already in service, with regular refresher courses. “This would bolster their confidence in recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse and in knowing the appropriate strategies to deploy if they encounter suspected cases,” the society said. The charity noted a lack of a robust training curriculum in many early childhood education institutions and cited that ECDA’s current offerings in continuing professional development are “limited”. Second, the charity called for each preschool centre to appoint a dedicated child safety officer. These officers, it explained, should be trained specifically in child protection, including how to use screening tools like the one developed by MSF in 2016 to guide abuse assessments. The tool’s effectiveness, however, remains questionable, with a 2017 survey revealing only 27.1 per cent of early childhood professionals were aware of its existence. The society is now conducting a follow-up survey to gauge whether awareness and usage of the tool have improved in the years since. Child safety officers, the society proposed, should not be part of the centre’s leadership hierarchy. Instead, they should act as specialised, approachable resources for educators who need guidance in handling suspected cases of abuse. Training for these officers should include trauma-informed practices and psychological first aid for children. These officers would also act as key liaisons with external agencies, such as the Child Protective Service and social service organisations, helping to manage cases that are complex or ambiguous in nature.

'Educators need stronger support to handle complex abuse cases and fears of backlash'

The charity stressed that the nuances in child abuse cases—especially those involving excessive discipline or unclear injuries—require skilled judgment and care. It added that many educators face internal conflict, stress, or fear about reporting suspected abuse, whether from uncertainty about what constitutes abuse or concerns about backlash from families and the public. “It can also be unnerving to deal with negative reactions from parents and the general public,” the statement read. The Singapore Children’s Society urged ECDA to create formal support structures where preschool staff can consult professionals in monitoring ambiguous concerns, ensuring that any suspicions are “appropriately right-sited”. In concluding its statement, the society appealed to the broader community and the government to act decisively. “Let us take concrete steps towards creating a stronger ecosystem that prioritises the safety and well-being of the youngest in our society,” the charity said. “Let us also recognise our collective responsibility in this because every child deserves our protection from harm.” The Singapore Children’s Society operates more than 10 centres islandwide, focusing on services related to vulnerable children and youth, family support, research, and advocacy.