What The Jenna Chan Lawsuit Teaches Us About School Trip Safety

Every parent signs school excursion permission slips blindly. We trust institutions implicitly with our children. That blind trust shattered permanently for Jennifer Liauw and Alan Chan.

Their 15-year-old daughter, Jenna Chan, died on November 8, 2024. She was on a mandatory overseas school expedition in the Maldives. Nearly twenty months later, her grieving parents filed a high-profile negligence lawsuit in the Singapore High Court against St Joseph's Institution International. They filed it on what would have been her 17th birthday.

Most people think schools carry full responsibility for students on organized trips. They assume a non-delegable duty of care protects every child abroad. The legal defense mounted in this case proves otherwise. Educational institutions and external third-party vendors often hide behind complex contract clauses. They argue they aren't liable for outsourced risks.

This tragic case exposes deep flaws in how overseas student expeditions are vetted, monitored, and regulated.

The Untold Dangers of School Expeditions Abroad

Jenna was a bright Grade 9 student participating in a National Youth Achievement Award expedition. The itinerary included a snorkelling excursion near Dhigurah Island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, run by an independent contractor called the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.

While in the water, tragedy struck. The boat engine engaged unexpectedly. Jenna suffered fatal injuries from the rotating propeller. According to court filings, the vessel reversed toward other students in the water before teachers frantically intervened. She was rushed to the Dhigurah Health Centre, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Parents assume schools vet these external organizations meticulously. They expect rigorous safety protocols, emergency medical plans, and clear hazard assessments. Yet, the legal battle reveals a shocking reality. Schools often outsource hazardous marine and adventure activities. When things go wrong, they point fingers at third-party vendors.

Legal teams representing the school argued they did not owe a positive non-delegable duty of care to protect students from all harm. They claimed exemption through independent contractor agreements. That defense leaves devastated families with nowhere to turn for answers.

Accountability and the Fight for Regulatory Oversight

For over twenty months, Jenna’s parents fought for transparency. They wanted to know exactly how safety protocols failed that morning. Instead of open collaboration, they faced closed doors and legal pushback.

Litigation became their absolute last resort. This lawsuit isn't just about financial damages or assigning blame. It is about demanding systemic accountability. If schools mandate overseas trips as a graduation or program requirement, they must own the safety risks entirely.

Furthermore, this case sheds light on a massive regulatory blind spot. Many private and international schools operate without direct government oversight regarding overseas adventure excursions. Parents assume regulatory bodies inspect these programs. They don't.

Families are left exposed to corporate liability disclaimers buried deep within standard registration forms. These permission slips often include clauses designed to strip away parental rights to sue in the event of gross negligence or fatal accidents.

Practical Steps Parents Must Take Right Now

You cannot rely on school reputation alone to keep your teenager safe on international trips. Educational institutions make mistakes, and external vendors cut corners.

Protect your children by taking direct action before signing any consent form:

• Demand vendor transparency: Ask the school for the exact name of every third-party contractor involved in adventure, water, or wilderness activities. Research their safety record independently.
• Scrutinize liability waivers: Read the fine print on consent and indemnity forms. Challenge clauses that attempt to waive liability for school negligence.
• Inquire about emergency protocols: Ask specific questions about emergency evacuation plans, local medical facility proximity, and staff-to-student ratios in high-risk environments.
• Push for regulatory reform: Support advocacy groups demanding mandatory government safety standards for all school-sponsored overseas travel.

Jenna’s parents wanted one thing above all else. They want to ensure no other family suffers this unimaginable heartbreak. Accountability starts by asking the hard questions before your child boards that plane.