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SJI International student's death being investigated as ‘negligent death': Maldives police
SJI International student's death being investigated as ‘negligent death': Maldives police

CNA

time23-07-2025

  • CNA

SJI International student's death being investigated as ‘negligent death': Maldives police

SINGAPORE: The death of a 15-year-old student during an overseas school trip in the Maldives more than eight months ago is currently being investigated as a 'case of negligent death', said the Maldivian police on Tuesday (Jul 22). Jenna Chan's family have been kept informed of the investigation process through email, but no official documents related to the investigation have been shared with them, added the police in an email response to CNA's queries. Jenna, a student at St Joseph's Institution International (SJII), died during a National Youth Achievement Award expedition on Nov 8. According to Maldivian news outlet the Edition, she was fatally struck by the propeller of a reversing boat while snorkelling near Dhigurah Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll. The teenager's parents told CNA last week that they had heard little from either the Maldivian authorities or SJII. However, the school maintained that it has made extensive efforts to piece together a full account of what happened. Its CEO Michael Johnston said the school had not received any information of documents from the Maldivian authorities on their investigation, despite repeated requests. The Maldivian police said on Tuesday that the family had 'informally requested to meet and question certain individuals connected to the case'. 'Under Maldivian law, it is not permitted to facilitate such interactions through the police, and therefore, no arrangements have been made in this regard,' the police added. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES UNDER SCRUTINY In their response, the police confirmed that an initial report prepared by the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) – the external vendor that conducted the trip – was received and included in the investigation. Dr Johnston had said the school did not have access to evidence from the Maldivian boat crew or staff from the MWSRP, which meant SJII could not have a complete picture of what happened. The police said they are also analysing the standard operating procedures relating to the incident, as well as documents from other state institutions. 'Once the relevant documentation is complete, further information will be disclosed,' it added. 'Since the commencement of the investigation, all developments have been shared and discussed with the Prosecutor General's Office to ensure that, if any party is found to have been negligent, appropriate legal action will be taken upon conclusion of the case.' The police also said that at this stage, it is unable to disclose details of the tour operator involved. 'The Maldives Police Service is currently verifying the authenticity and role of the parties primarily responsible for organising this programme in the Maldives. Relevant information is still being compiled,' it added. In May, officers from the Maldives Police Service flew to Singapore to interview four students and a teacher who had been on the trip. Dr Johnston confirmed that SJII facilitated the interviews. Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) said last week that it would not be investigating SJII's handling of the incident, citing adherence to the school's overseas trip safety protocols. MOE also noted that SJII, as a privately funded school, operates independently of the mainstream education system.

SJI International resumes overseas trips amid ongoing probe into student's death in Maldives in 2024
SJI International resumes overseas trips amid ongoing probe into student's death in Maldives in 2024

Straits Times

time15-07-2025

  • Business
  • Straits Times

SJI International resumes overseas trips amid ongoing probe into student's death in Maldives in 2024

SINGAPORE - St Joseph's Institution (SJI) International has resumed its outdoor education expeditions, about a year after its 15-year-old Singaporean student Jenna Chan died on one of these trips in Maldives. This comes as investigations into the incident on Nov 8, 2024 are ongoing. An internal review of the school's overseas trip protocols and safety processes, commissioned soon after the tragedy, is also still underway. Reports indicated she was fatally struck by the propeller of a running boat while snorkelling near Alif Dhaalu Atoll's Dhigurah island, where she was participating in a research project with charity Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme. In a written reply to The Straits Times, Dr Michael Johnston, principal of SJI International, said Maldivian authorities hold primary investigative powers. Despite attempts to engage them, related organisations, and the boat crew, no findings have been shared with the school. The school has been supporting the Maldivian authorities, he added. The latest engagement was in May 2025, when officers from the Maldives Police Service, assisted by the Singapore Police Force, came here to interview students and a teacher who had been on the trip, he said. ST contacted the Maldivian authorities, but did not receive a reply. In response to queries, an MOE spokeswoman said the ministry has been in touch with the school's board of governors, and it will not be investigating its management. The school had adhered to its safety processes for overseas trips, she said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Business Singapore financial sector growth doubles in 2024, assets managed cross $6 trillion in a first: MAS Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms and 1 lawyer over seized properties Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Singapore Sengkang-Punggol LRT gets 15.8 per cent capacity boost with new trains Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Singapore authorities do not have legal jurisdiction to investigate incidents abroad, she added. But the Singapore Police Force has been assisting the Maldivian authorities, who have primary responsibility and jurisdiction over the case. Parents of students at the school, speaking on condition of anonymity, are calling for more transparency and updates as expeditions have resumed. The trips, set to be held in November, are compulsory for the school's Grade 9 students, which is equivalent to the Secondary 3 level. In briefing slides seen by ST, which were presented to parents and students in May, students were given nine options. These includes a biodiversity and research programme in Kinabatangan, Sabah; a pilgrimage trek in Japan; a Himalayan rafting expedition in Dehradun, India; sea kayaking in Langkawi and the only local option, a sailing and rainforest exploration in Singapore. Students, who are currently in the midst of choosing their trips, look forward to these trips, said a parent in his 50s, who works in the tech industry. Regarding the 2024 incident, the parent of a Grade 9 boy said the school failed to clearly outline safety measures taken, acknowledge missteps, or explain next steps. 'I would like more reassurance... in terms of (the school) saying they have toughened up the way they evaluated the party providers,' he said. 'I'll be lying if I told you we were not worried.' Another parent, a retiree in her 50s, who has a daughter in Grade 10, said: 'I was expecting a follow-up review so we can give our feedback, be it online or better still, a townhall, to discuss these expeditions, their objectives, educational outcomes, and where the school's safety procedures ought to be improved.' Some parents acknowledged the benefits of outdoor programmes but wanted more information about the service providers chosen by the school. During an information session in May, parents raised questions about its vetting processes, emergency and safety procedures, and staff-to-student ratio details. The school should be open about the number of service providers it vets, its selection and risk assessment process, said a 53-year-old parent of a 16-year-old student. The parent, who works in the healthcare industry, said about Jenna's incident: 'It is not enough to say that a provider was 'well-regarded' or had been used before.' What mattered was whether safety protocols were in place and if those were understood, followed on the ground, she added. Dr Johnston said the school had applied the same checks it uses for all trips before approving the Maldives expedition. This included reviewing the provider's safety procedures and doing its own risk assessment of the activities. He added that the school is also working closely with other international schools and MOE to strengthen safety standards and share lessons across the sector. Mr Alan Chan, Jenna's father, told ST that he hopes that MOE can have a greater oversight over the operations of privately-funded schools - beyond mainstream schools - in areas that are related to student welfare and reporting of serious incidents. Mr Chan, 59, who is currently unemployed, said: 'I'm focusing on this gap because it seems the most straightforward to fix. It's too late for my family, but I hope to prevent the same fate from befalling others.' The MOE spokeswoman said that privately funded schools, including SJI International, are for international students and locals who prefer an alternative schooling option. 'These schools are outside the mainstream school system and have autonomy over their operations, policies and governance.' The ministry engages such schools to share practices including overseas trip planning and safety measures. Jenna's incident has reinforced the need for strong safety guidelines and duty of care when organising overseas trips, said Mr Delane Lim, secretary-general of Outdoor Learning & Adventure Education Association. In January, the association representing outdoor and adventure education providers and professionals published guidelines detailing training and certification requirements to ensure activities are conducted safely and proficiently. Although these recommendations are designed for local programmes, schools and providers engaging overseas partners can refer to it when vetting operators abroad and evaluating programme safety, especially in unfamiliar settings, Mr Lim said. These practices apply to all schools whether they are governed by MOE or not, he said.

Denver city workers call proposed rule change "Betrayal" ... "Slap in the face"
Denver city workers call proposed rule change "Betrayal" ... "Slap in the face"

CBS News

time18-06-2025

  • Business
  • CBS News

Denver city workers call proposed rule change "Betrayal" ... "Slap in the face"

A steady stream of Denver City workers on Wednesday blasted a proposed rule change that would make it easier to lay off city workers, regardless of their seniority. At a public hearing before the cities' Career Service board, one city employee called the proposed change to Career Service Rule 14 a "betrayal" while another termed the potential change a "slap in the face." CBS Another said if the rule change is passed, it would create a Hunger Games-type scenario with city employees doing all they can to avoid being laid off. Citing Denver's expected $200 million deficit in 2026, the city's Office of Human Resources executive director, Kathy Nesbitt, this month proposed altering city personnel rules that provide job protection and seniority privileges for long term city workers. Mayor Michael Johnston has said he supports the rule changes that would impact which city workers are laid off to deal with the projected budget deficit. City administrators said Wednesday they should know the size and scope of the layoffs by mid-August. Denver has about 10,000 employees covered by career service rules. The Wednesday hearing before the five member Career Service Board was aimed at getting approval for the changes. Hundreds of city workers watched the hearing in person, online or via closed circuit feed. More than a dozen testified against the proposed changes. Audra Burgos, who has worked for Denver Parks and Recreation for 37 years, spoke against the change and said seniority and institutional knowledge are important to maintain in the city workforce. "Knowledge cannot be taken away and that's what I have," said Burgos. "It's important seniority is still considered. It's the major reason why people want to work for Denver," she said. Nesbitt testified the city has not been in a position like this before in terms of budget pressures. She said when it comes to layoffs, under the proposed changes, job performance, history, ability and length of service would all be considered in deciding who gets laid off -- not just tenure. "This isn't about getting rid of employees who have been here for a long time," she said. Nesbitt said under the rule changes, "bumping" would no longer be allowed. That rule let senior workers who were laid off stay on the city payroll by taking over the job of a more junior employee. The rule changes would do away with "bumping." Karla Pierce, a labor lawyer with Denver's City Attorney's office, indicated the rule changes would allow layoffs to be made based more on performance than length of service. But she said ultimately, "We're going to lay off people who perform well." Neither Pierce nor Nesbitt specified how many layoffs are coming. Pierce said layoffs would be "substantial" and said city agencies are being asked to slash their budgets by 15% to 20%. Many of the city workers who testified said the proposed changes would make laying off workers a more subjective proposition and would diminish due process protections. One city worker testified the rule change would create fear and intimidation in the workplace as bosses try to eliminate critics and career rivals. Career service board members declined to vote on the proposed changes saying more precision and definition was needed before they could make any changes. They scheduled a follow-up meeting for July 1.

Everything you need to know about the Ilkley Food and Drink Festival
Everything you need to know about the Ilkley Food and Drink Festival

Yahoo

time12-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Everything you need to know about the Ilkley Food and Drink Festival

Food, music, and family fun are all on the menu as a festival returns to Ilkley for its sixth year. The Ilkley Food and Drink Festival is set to take place this weekend (June 14 and 15) on the Ilkley Riverside (East Holmes Field). Michael Johnston, festival director, said: "Final preparations are underway for this weekend, and we're incredibly excited to showcase what we've been working towards. "With brand-new features, refreshed lineups, and a wonderful selection of vendors, there are all of the ingredients for our most vibrant event yet." New activities Among the new attractions for 2025 are 'Roaming Bubble Performers,' as well as other forms of pop-up entertainment. There will be a Foodie Clue Quest Scavenger Hunt, and families can try their hand at the Foodie Olympics, which features food and drink-inspired challenges in a Sports Day format. Food and drink The Street Food Arena will feature what a spokesperson described as "some of the North's top independent street food and dessert vendors," including Yorkshire Crackling Hog Roast, Birria Bandits, and 7 Star Flag. Festivalgoers can expect international cuisine from the likes of Germany, Japan, India, Venezuela, and Italy. The Artisan Markets will showcase homeware, art, jewellery, beverages, handmade crafts, and sweet and savoury treats from businesses such as Yorkshire Mushroom Emporium Ltd, Hebden Bridge Gin, and The Great British Cheese Company. A Full Ale House, run in partnership with Vocation Brewery, will sit alongside nine independent bars, including Gilli's Gin Tin and Reggae Rum Shack. Live entertainment Each ticket includes access to three live stages running throughout the weekend. The music stage will feature 14 performances, including The Voice UK's Rachel Modest with The Motown Gospel Choir, as well as choirs, soloists, bands - and Liam Gray as Robbie Williams. The Live Cookery Theatre, in partnership with Yorkshire Food Guide, will host eight demonstrations from culinary figures, including MasterChef's Owen Diaram and The Great British Menu's Bobby Geetha. Darren Mac, The Magic Matt Show, Michael Jordan, and Matthew J Magic will host 12 performing arts shows, including comedy, family magic, and interactive circus workshops. Charity and further attractions Other attractions include Sage Ayurvedic wellness sessions, kids' cooking classes, airsoft, axe throwing, face painting, a funfair, a kids' drawing competition, Henna, and a live comedy improv show. The festival continues its partnership with Bradford Mind. The Ilkley Food and Drink Festival opens at 10am on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15. More information is available at

Tower Works Street Fest to return to Leeds during summer months
Tower Works Street Fest to return to Leeds during summer months

Yahoo

time30-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Tower Works Street Fest to return to Leeds during summer months

A street food festival is set to return to Leeds this summer. The team behind the North Leeds, Harrogate, Ilkley, and Ripley Castle Food & Drink Festivals will bring the Tower Works Street Fest back to Mustard Wharf, in Leeds, this summer, following its debut last year. The market will be hosted in Verona Square, among the surrounds of Tower Works and its three Venetian towers. It will run every first weekend of the month (including the preceding Friday) during June, July, August, and September, with the first three days of activity being Friday, June 6, Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. In the words of a spokesperson, attendees can expect "a jam-packed line-up of some of the best street food and drink vendors, artisan markets, independent bars, and groovy tunes, as well as plenty of furniture to lounge on." Tower Works Street Fest production manager Michael Johnston said: "The vibe was incredible last year and we can't wait to bring back this event at the picturesque Tower Works, making it even better than the last. "With top-notch international food and drink vendors from across the north to host the festival each month, it's shaping up to be another belter." More details will be made available at

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