Singapore’s Education Minister Desmond Lee said on Tuesday that caning is used in schools only as a last resort, and only when other disciplinary measures are not sufficient. He was answering more than 20 parliamentary questions about the Ministry of Education’s latest efforts to tackle bullying.Lee acknowledged that research links frequent and poorly administered corporal punishment, particularly in unstructured settings such as homes, to negative outcomes. However, he said the situation in schools is different. “We recognize this, and I want to emphasize that the context of our schools is completely different,” he was quoted as saying by Channel NewsAsia.He explained that schools follow strict rules before using canning. According to Lee, it must be approved by the principal and administered only by authorized teachers, and schools also consider the maturity of the student and whether the punishment will help the student learn from the mistake.After Canning, schools monitor the student’s well-being and provide counseling and rehabilitation assistance, he said, adding that it was part of a broader effort to ensure discipline and not just punishment.
‘Clear boundaries’ to reduce bullying
The statement comes after the Ministry of Education in April announced a strict framework to deal with student misbehavior, especially bullying. Under the new rules, students who bully others could face suspension, caning and lower conduct grades. First-time serious misdemeanor offenders can face one to three days of detention or suspension, and older boys can in some cases receive a single stroke of the cane.Lee said the approach was based on research showing that students make better choices when “clear boundaries are enforced by the firm and there are meaningful consequences.” “This has a positive impact on reducing bullying and enables the school community to feel safe to learn in a structured environment,” he added.He also clarified that caning is applied only to boys and only in serious cases, according to the Criminal Code, which does not allow caning to women. He said that this does not mean that girls are treated lightly. Schools use other measures such as detention, suspension, and grade changes to ensure fair punishment.On cyberbullying, Lee said the ministry takes online incidents seriously and will continue to guide schools on how to handle them. After the Online Safety Commission begins work at the end of June, students experiencing online harm such as harassment or image misuse will be able to get help faster. Schools will support affected students and guide them in reporting such cases.
Support for weaker students
For students with special educational needs or mental health conditions, schools ensure safety first and provide support second. “Trained school personnel will also spot signs of trouble that aren’t immediately visible or clearly communicated,” Lee said, adding the goal was to help students regain confidence and feel safe again.At the same time, if such students hurt others, schools focus on helping them understand the impact of their actions. The ministry has also announced more funding to hire youth workers, counselors and support staff to help manage student behavior and reduce pressure on teachers.
