Boys in Singapore may face a punishment of up to three strokes of the cane for engaging in bullying behavior at school, according to new guidelines introduced by the Ministry of Education.
The Education Minister, Desmond Lee, emphasized that this measure will be reserved for severe cases and will be implemented with strict safeguards to protect students.
While the new regulations permit caning for boys, girls will not be subjected to this form of punishment due to existing provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code, which states that “women shall not be punished with caning.”
Lee explained that caning would only be considered a last resort for “egregious violations” and that schools must follow established protocols to ensure the safety of the student involved. He remarked, “Our schools utilize caning as a disciplinary action only when all other interventions have proven inadequate, taking into account the seriousness of the misconduct.”
Factors such as the student’s maturity and whether the punishment would facilitate learning from their mistakes will be assessed before administering the cane. Additionally, the decision to use caning must receive approval from the school principal and can only be carried out by authorized staff members.
After the punishment, schools are required to monitor the student’s wellbeing and academic progress, which includes offering counseling services. In contrast, girls found guilty of bullying may face suspension, detention, or modifications to their grades instead.
These updated anti-bullying measures were initiated in April, and discussions within the Singaporean parliament have focused on standardizing these policies across all educational institutions.
Caning as a punishment dates back to the British colonial era in Singapore, although the United Kingdom has since abolished such practices. Australia also eliminated corporal punishment in its public schools during the 1980s and 1990s, with some private institutions in Victoria and the Northern Territory discontinuing it only in the early 2000s.
Human rights organizations have consistently criticized Singapore for its continued use of corporal punishment, which is integrated into both the educational and judicial systems. Nevertheless, authorities argue that it serves as a deterrent against crime and serious misconduct.
A report released last year by the World Health Organization indicated that there is substantial scientific evidence pointing to the multiple risks associated with corporal punishment of children, underscoring that it yields no benefits.
