Singapore introduces caning for boys who bully others at school

Singapore Schools to Use Caning for Male Bullies as Last Resort

Singapore has rolled out new anti-bullying measures that include caning for male students who engage in severe bullying, including cyberbullying, according to multiple reports. Education Minister Desmond Lee confirmed the guidelines during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, stating that caning would be used only as a last resort for "egregious violations" and with strict protocols in place.

The measures follow a year-long review focused on bullying and come after several high-profile school bullying incidents drew public attention last year, as reported by multiple sources.

Details of the New Guidelines

Under the new rules, male students in upper primary levels (ages 9 to 12) and above can face up to three strokes of the cane, depending on the gravity of the offence, according to reports from ABC Australia, The Guardian, and the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Lee told lawmakers that caning would only be applied "if all the other measures are inadequate, given the gravity of the misconduct," as quoted by The Guardian and SCMP. He emphasized that schools follow strict protocols to ensure student safety, including that caning must be approved by the school's principal and administered only by authorised teachers.

"Schools will consider factors such as the maturity of the student and if caning will help the student learn from his mistake and understand the gravity of what he has done," Lee said, according to ABC Australia.

After the punishment, the school would monitor the student's wellbeing and progress, including providing counselling, Lee added.

Girls are exempt from caning under Singapore's Criminal Procedure Code, which states "women shall not be punished with caning," as reported by ABC Australia. Instead, female students face punishments such as detention, suspension, adjustment of their conduct grade, and other school-based consequences, per Lee's statement cited by The Guardian.

Context on Corporal Punishment in Singapore

Caning has a long history in Singapore, having been introduced under British colonial rule in the 19th century. Judicial caning continues to be used in the country for male offenders under 50 for crimes such as robbery, scamming, or overstaying a visa by 90 days, according to The Guardian.

While the United Kingdom has long abolished corporal punishment and Australia banned the use of the cane in government schools in the 1980s and 1990s, Singapore retains the practice in both judicial and educational settings, as noted by ABC Australia.

Opposition from International Organisations

The new guidelines have drawn criticism from international bodies. UNICEF, the UN's agency for children, opposes the use of corporal punishment for children, stating it harms their physical and mental health and increases behavioural problems over time, as reported by The Guardian.

A World Health Organization (WHO) report released last year said that corporal punishment remained "alarmingly" widespread and carried multiple risks of harm, according to ABC Australia. The reports did not specify the exact findings of the WHO report but noted its overall stance against corporal punishment.

Minister's Defence of the Policy

Lee acknowledged that studies have linked poorly administered and frequent corporal punishment—particularly in unregulated settings such as the home—with negative outcomes. However, he argued that the context in Singapore schools is different.

"We recognise this, and I want to emphasise that the context in our schools is quite different," Lee said, as quoted by ABC Australia. He stressed that, when used, caning is never administered in isolation but as part of a broader set of restorative and disciplinary measures.

The Ministry of Education introduced the new anti-bullying measures in April, and Tuesday's parliamentary session discussed how the changes would be standardised across schools, according to ABC Australia.

Perspectives and Reactions

The policy has received mixed reactions. Supporters argue that it provides a strong deterrent against bullying and maintains discipline in schools, while critics, including children's rights groups, contend that corporal punishment is ineffective and harmful.

The Guardian, in its coverage, emphasized the opposition from international groups and noted that the measure "has drawn criticism." SCMP, on the other hand, focused on the procedural safeguards and the minister's justification. ABC Australia reported the facts without taking a stance but included the WHO findings and the historical context.

As the measures are implemented, observers will be watching to see how they are applied in practice and whether they lead to a reduction in bullying incidents in Singapore schools.