Singapore is introducing new school guidelines under which boys aged 9 and above who are involved in bullying or cyberbullying incidents may face corporal punishment with a cane as a “last resort.” The punishment allows for up to three strikes and will only be applied in serious cases, following approval by the principal and execution by authorized staff.
Education Minister Desmond Lee stated that the measure will be used only when other interventions fail, as part of a broader review of anti-bullying policies following a series of incidents that sparked public debate over the past year.
Different disciplinary measures are provided for girls, including suspension, after-school detention, and lower conduct grades.
Under the new guidelines, after the punishment is administered, the school must monitor the student’s psychological condition and progress, while also providing counseling support. For girls, alternative sanctions include suspension, detention after school, or a downgrade in conduct evaluation.
International organizations, including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, oppose corporal punishment of children, arguing that it harms both physical and mental health and is associated with increased behavioral problems. The WHO estimates that around 1.2 billion children worldwide experience corporal punishment at home every year.
The practice of “caning” (corporal punishment using a cane) in Singapore, introduced during British colonial rule in the 19th century, remains legal for male offenders under the age of 50 for crimes such as robbery, fraud, or violations of immigration laws.
Source: Guardian
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