A systemic failure within the Ministry of Education delayed the reporting of two Auckland schoolgirls’ absences for years, a delay that occurred before their tragic deaths at the hands of their mother in 2018. Yuna and Minu Jo, aged eight and six respectively, attended Papatoetoe South School prior to their disappearance.
Issues Identified in Failure to Report Disappearance
Ministry documents revealed that the system did not require the school to submit a notification when the children were not enrolled in another school. Deputy Secretary Helen Hurst stated the ministry analyzed how school attendance systems operated in the case of Yuna and Minu Jo. Issues contributing to the delay—between the children’s return to New Zealand in May 2018 and the case reaching attendance services in 2020—have been identified.
According to Hurst, without these issues, the referral likely would have occurred within months of their return, rather than years. The ministry was never informed that the students had enrolled elsewhere, and police were not contacted before the investigation began.
The Ministry of Education has commissioned an external review to determine how the failure occurred and to improve procedures. The Papatoetoe South School Board expressed shock and sadness that the ministry did not report the children’s extended absence to police, stating that the tragedy highlights the importance of transparency and communication between child support agencies.
By June 2021, there had been no response from the children’s mother, Hakyung Lee, who was living in South Korea. By August 2022, the ministry still had no contact and did not know the children’s whereabouts.
The ministry is working to establish an information-sharing agreement with police to locate children missing from school and is developing simplified processes for attendance service providers to report welfare concerns. The frequency of requests to Immigration New Zealand to check for returning students has also been increased.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened when Yuna and Minu Jo stopped attending school?
The Ministry of Education’s response was delayed, with the children’s absences not being referred to attendance services for years rather than months.
What is the Ministry of Education doing to address this failure?
The Ministry has commissioned an external review, is working on an information-sharing agreement with police, and is improving processes for attendance service providers.
How did the school respond to the Ministry’s failure?
The Papatoetoe South School Board expressed shock and sadness, emphasizing the importance of transparency and communication between agencies.
As the Ministry of Education works to improve its systems, what further steps could be taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children in New Zealand?
