By Ng Jing Yng | Posted: 11
December 2010 0748 hrs
SINGAPORE: Former Ministry of Education (MOE)
scholar Jonathan Wong had already been arrested for possession of
child pornography when he returned to teach in a secondary school
here in Singapore.
23-year-old Wong, who is a history major at the University of York,
was arrested in March and did his month-long teaching attachment in
July at the school in the western part of Singapore.
Besides teaching history and literature, he interacted closely with
pupils when working on a project with them, although "nothing was
amiss and Wong acted normally like any other teacher", said a
source who also taught at the school.
But, the MOE only knew of Wong's involvement in child pornography
last month.
In reply to queries, a ministry spokesman said: "His offence only
came to light after he was charged in court in November."
The spokesman added that "neither Jonathan Wong nor his university
informed MOE that he had been arrested in March and was under
police investigation when he returned for his school
attachment".
University of York spokesman David Garner told Channel NewsAsia
that it "was not informed by the police of Jonathan Wong's arrest
nor the subsequent charges".
Mr Garner said: "The first that the university knew of the charges
was when Jonathan Wong appeared before York Crown Court on Nov
15."
Parents whom Channel NewsAsia spoke to were concerned when they
heard the news.
A teacher, who declined to be named, added: "When he was first
arrested ... we should give him the benefit of the doubt. But he
should not be allowed to teach till his case is concluded. There
should be tightening of communication between the ministry and
their scholars overseas."
This will now be done.
The MOE spokesman said: "We are reviewing our processes to improve
the selection of scholars and the reporting of such
offences."
Wong, who is on bail, will be sentenced during the week of Jan 17
after the initial court date of Dec 13 was postponed.
He could face up to 10 years in jail, though a non-custodial
sentence is also possible, according to the Crown Prosecution
Service.
- CNA/fa
