Teacher allegedly asks student to undress in video call, sends her his nude photo

A teacher was on a video call with one of his female students when he allegedly instructed the then 15-year-old to undress, and she complied.

The man is accused of exposing himself and performing a sexual act at around the same time.

He is also said to have sent the girl a picture of his naked body, the court heard.

The 39-year-old man, who cannot be named owing to a gag order to protect the girl's identity, has been charged with one count each of committing a lewd act with the teen and circulating an obscene image to her.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) told The Straits Times on Aug 21 that the man has been suspended from duties since April 2023, and is no longer teaching in any school.

An MOE spokesperson said: "(We take) a serious view of staff misconduct and will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against those who fail to adhere to our standards of conduct and discipline, including dismissal from service.

"MOE will follow up with disciplinary proceedings after the court case has concluded."

According to court documents, the man allegedly committed the obscene act with the girl during a video call some time between Nov 14 and Dec 27, 2013.

He is accused of sending her a picture of himself naked some time between Nov 14, 2013, and Jan 13, 2014. By then, she was around 15 to 16 years old.

Court documents did not disclose how these alleged offences came to light. The man's case will be mentioned again in court on Sept 15.