Previously, schools adopted a tiered approach to discipline based on severity, ranging from reflection for minor cases to detention, suspension or caning for more serious offences. In severe cases, police reports may be filed.
However, there were differences in how schools handled such cases, said Minister for Education Desmond Lee, who added that the more stringent framework aims to ensure a more consistent approach across schools.
From 2021 to 2025, schools recorded an average of three bullying cases per 1,000 primary school students and eight per 1,000 secondary school students, MOE said.
