Macau (MNA) – After a strict report and a MOP12,000 fine following the turmoils of a multiple child abuse case, the kindergarten Dom José da Costa Nunes is working to comply with requests by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) while paving its own way to re-establish the confidence of parents and trust in the institution.
Speaking to Macau News Agency (MNA), Miguel de Senna Fernandes, the president of the Association for the Promotion of Macanese Education (AIPIM), which oversees the school, does not deny that the case has had an important repercussion in the city, especially among the Portuguese and Macanese communities.
But he notes that parents have steadily accepted the ways the school has been handling the situation.
“There was a phase of shock, with a quite big impact on the parents, but in a short space of time we have been able to regain the trust of parents,” Mr. Senna Fernandes said.
“Some, of course, still have some reserves towards the school, and could end up opting to taking their kids out. We lament it but we understand it,” he added.
The AIPIM president confirmed to MNA that none of the parents had launched a judicial complain against the school as of today, but said he does not ignore that there is chance this may happen.
“In any case, we respect all decisions,” he stated.
Disciplinary procedures
About the disciplinary procedure lodged against the director of the school, Marisa Peixoto, and one of the institutions’ teachers, Mr. Senna Fernandes said it is part of the regular process to investigate the case internally.
“At this moment, there is no reason to question the director’s role,” he said, noting additionally that they do not agree with the opinion issued in the DSEJ report about the school’s director, who the Bureau claims “has violated” several school regulations.
“We have already sent a reply to the DSEJ on the matter,” said Mr. Senna Fernandes, adding he expects to have the process concluded in September, ideally before the beginning of the school year, on September 6.
Fine and actions
The AIPIM president did not hide his frustration with the MOP12,000 fine the Bureau applied to the school for ‘violation’ of various regulations within the scope of the reported sexual abuse cases.
“The fine was a possible development for a process that has been ongoing for a while now,” he stated. “Yet, I would have expected more comprehension on the part of the DSEJ.”
Senna Fernandes argued that the DSEJ had not considered the efforts the school led to minimize the impact of the case, claiming, however, that the fine is rather the result of “administrative problems” within the school than the abuse cases proper.
He added that the school had already started developing actions and training the staff before the DESJ report was disclosed recommending the institution developed such activities.
“We ourselves will ask the DSEJ to come follow-up our activities,” stated Mr. Senna Fernandes.
He explained that the co-ordinator of counselling has already prepared and performed training actions, adding that a new psychologist chosen to replace the previous one, who did not have her contract renewed, is already working and acting as the school co-ordinator.
