Singapore has introduced new disciplinary guidelines that could see male students involved in bullying, including cyberbullying, subjected to caning as a “last resort” measure after all other interventions have been exhausted.
The updated framework, which was discussed in Parliament, allows corporal punishment of up to three strokes for boys who commit serious misconduct. The move is part of broader efforts to tackle rising concerns over student behaviour in schools, particularly online harassment.
Education Minister Desmond Lee said caning will only be considered when other corrective measures are deemed insufficient, with strict safeguards in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students. Any decision to administer the punishment must be approved by the school principal and carried out by an authorised teacher.
He added that schools will assess several factors before proceeding, including the student’s maturity level and whether the punishment would help the student understand the severity of their actions and learn from the incident.
The government stressed that caning is not a first-line response, but a controlled disciplinary tool used only in serious cases. After any such punishment, schools are required to monitor the student’s wellbeing and provide counselling support where necessary.
Under the new rules, caning will apply only to male students in upper primary levels and above, typically aged nine to 12 and older. Female students will not be subjected to corporal punishment, in line with Singapore’s existing criminal procedure code, which prohibits caning for girls.
Instead, disciplinary measures for female students may include detention, suspension, behavioural grading adjustments, and other school-based consequences. The Ministry of Education said these measures are designed to ensure fairness while maintaining discipline across all schools.
The policy has drawn attention from international organisations, including UNICEF, which has previously raised concerns over corporal punishment, arguing that it can negatively affect children’s physical and mental health and may contribute to long-term behavioural issues.
