Parents of 15‑year‑old who died on Maldives school trip sue St Joseph’s Institution International

On 8 November 2024 a 15‑year‑old Singaporean student, Jenna Chan, was snorkeling off Dhigurah Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll of the Maldives when a boat’s propeller – which had suddenly gone into reverse – struck her. The accident, which the family says happened while the vessel was turning back to the beach, proved fatal.

Two years later, on what would have been Jenna’s 17th birthday, her parents – Dr Jennifer Liauw and Mr Alan Chan – filed a negligence claim against St Joseph’s Institution International (SJII) in the General Division of the High Court of Singapore. The suit, lodged on 20 July 2026, names the school as the defendant and accuses it of a string of omissions that, in their view, directly led to the tragedy.

According to the statement of claim, the school did not properly assess the safety of the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), the UK‑registered charity it hired to run the expedition. The parents contend SJII failed to vet the provider’s credentials, neglected to put in place adequate supervision for the students, and gave “false assurances” that all emergency procedures were covered. They also allege the school blocked them from meeting the two teachers who were on the boat and from seeing the investigative report that was prepared after the incident.

The damages sought are still to be quantified by the court, but the claim lists special damages totalling S$77,506.87 – covering funeral costs, investigative fees, travel expenses and other disbursements. The family says they will also pursue general, aggravated, exemplary and punitive damages once the matter goes to trial.

SJII’s lawyers, Rajah & Tann Singapore, responded in a letter dated 21 November 2025, arguing that the school does not owe a “positive non‑delegable duty of care” to the students because MWSRP was an independent contractor. The school maintains that it complied with all safety protocols that were required of it at the time.

The Ministry of Education weighed in on 15 July 2025, saying it would not launch a separate investigation because private‑funded schools enjoy a degree of autonomy in arranging overseas trips. The ministry added that, to its knowledge, SJII had followed the usual safety processes.

Jenna’s death has sparked a broader conversation about how Singapore schools, especially those that operate independently of the state, manage risk when they send pupils abroad. Critics argue that the line between delegating to a third‑party provider and retaining ultimate responsibility for student safety can become dangerously blurry.

For now, the case will be heard in Singapore’s High Court. The outcome could set a precedent for how much duty of care schools are expected to uphold when they outsource activities to overseas organisations.