SOTA: School of the Arts Singapore

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SOTA: School of the Arts Singapore
  1. Purpose

    1. SOTA wants to promote and maintain high standards of good governance, integrity, accountability and responsibility at the School.

    2. The Whistle Blower Policy is established pursuant to the School’s Code of Conduct and provides a channel as well as a set of tools for stakeholders of SOTA to report a good-faith actual or suspected unethical behaviour.


  2. Scope

    1. A Stakeholder belongs to any of the following categories:

      • Employees, including those who work part-time or are seconded by Ministries to the School, Students and Parents,
      • Vendors, including service providers, suppliers, consultants and agencies),
      • Any other person with a direct association or working relationship with SOTA.

    2. Unethical behaviour refers to any conduct that may constitute a disciplinary action or criminal offence. Illustrations of unethical behaviour are but not limited to:

      • Corruption or bribery,
      • Embezzlement, cheating or theft,
      • Violation of laws and regulations,
      • Irregularities in financial reporting, misstatements arising from reporting,
      • Improper or unauthorised expenditure,
      • Misuse of funds and resources,
      • Abuse of power or authority,
      • Conflict of interest without due disclosure,
      • Breach or circumvention of internal policies,
      • Aiding and abetting illegal activities,
      • Unauthorised access and/or disclosure of information,
      • Concealment or wilful suppression of any malpractice or misconduct,
      • Acts to mislead, deceive, manipulate, coerce or fraudulently influence the preparation, examination, audit or review of any assets and records of the School,
      • Endangerment to health or safety of persons or environment,
      • Any form of harassment,
      • Inappropriate relationship between an Employee and student,
      • Unprofessional behaviour between Employees and parents,
      • Any other conduct that may cause financial or non-financial loss or damage of reputation to the School.


  3. Confidentiality and Protection

    1. The WBP encourages stakeholders to raise any good-faith report about an unethical behaviour without fear of reprisal or victimisation, rather than ignore or raise it outside the School. All such reports will be treated with strict confidence.

    2. The School will not retaliate against nor tolerate anyone else’s retaliation against someone, who makes a good-faith report regarding an actual or suspected unethical behaviour, even if eventually a reported unethical behaviour turns out not to be an unethical behaviour.

    3. A stakeholder may come forward either anonymously or by identifying him or herself (“whistle-blower”). The identity of the whistle-blower will not be revealed by the School, unless with his or her consent, subject to the following exceptions:
      • Identity is to be revealed by law;
      • The identity of the whistle-blower is already publicly known;
      • Information is to be given for the purpose of obtaining professional advice. In such case, the exchange will take place on a strictly confidential basis.
    4. Appropriate actions, including legal action, where applicable, will be taken against the whistle-Blower, who knowingly and/or in bad-faith report a wrongdoing, that is false, malicious, vexatious or for personal gain.


  4. Reporting Modes

    1. The contact information of the Receiving Officer is as follows:

      Audit and Risk Committee Chairman
      Administration Office
      1 Zubir Said Drive, #05-01
      Singapore 227968

      Email: [email protected]

    2. Concerns raised or information provided that is vague or insufficient can impede the investigation process and allegations may therefore not be pursued. To facilitate the School’s independent investigation, please provide the information to the best of your knowledge, using the table which could be downloaded here.