Singapore introduces caning for boys who bully others at school

Singapore has introduced caning as a "last resort" punishment for male school students who engage in severe bullying, including cyberbullying. Under new guidelines, these students, aged nine and above, can face up to three strokes of the cane. The measure, discussed in parliament, follows a year-long review prompted by high-profile bullying incidents. Caning requires principal approval and will only be administered by authorized teachers after other disciplinary measures are deemed inadequate. Female students will face alternative punishments like detention or suspension. This policy aligns with Singapore's existing use of judicial caning for male offenders and comes amidst global concerns from organizations like UNICEF and the WHO regarding the harmful effects of corporal punishment on children.

Singapore's Minister for Education, Desmond Lee, stated on Tuesday that caning is used as a disciplinary measure in schools only as a last resort for severe bullying cases, after all other interventions have failed. Responding to parliamentary questions regarding the Ministry of Education's (MOE) anti-bullying efforts, Lee acknowledged research linking poorly administered corporal punishment to negative outcomes. However, he emphasized that the context within schools differs from unregulated settings like the home. The MOE's approach prioritizes other disciplinary methods before considering caning, underscoring that its application is reserved for the most serious instances of misconduct.