Singapore has introduced caning for boys who bully others at school, including cyberbullying, under new guidelines that allow the punishment as a last resort for male students aged nine and above.
New Guidelines for Caning
Male students can face up to three strokes of the cane under the rules discussed in parliament on Tuesday. Education Minister Desmond Lee told lawmakers that caning would only be applied if all other measures are inadequate, given the gravity of the misconduct.
“They follow strict protocols to ensure safety for the student. For instance, caning must be approved by the principal and administered only by authorised teachers,” Lee said. “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.”
Background and Context
The measures follow a year-long review focused on bullying, after several high-profile school bullying incidents drew public attention last year. Caning will only be used for male students in upper primary levels (age 9-12 years) and above, citing the country’s criminal procedure code, which prohibits caning of women.
After caning, the school will monitor the student’s wellbeing and progress, including providing counselling. Female students will receive punishments such as detention, suspension, adjustment of conduct grade, and other school-based consequences.
Controversy and Criticism
International groups such as Unicef oppose corporal punishment, saying it harms children’s physical and mental health and increases behavioural problems. A World Health Organization report last year said corporal punishment remains “alarmingly widespread” globally, causing significant harm to children’s health and development. An estimated 1.2 billion children aged 0-18 years are subjected to corporal punishment at home each year worldwide.
Judicial caning, introduced by British colonialists in the 19th century, continues in Singapore for male offenders under 50, including crimes like robbery, scamming, or overstaying a visa by 90 days.
