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SINGAPORE: Schools use caning as a disciplinary measure only when all other options are inadequate, given the gravity of the misconduct, said Minister for Education Desmond Lee on Tuesday (May 5).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Responding to more than 20 parliamentary questions on the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) updated efforts to tackle bullying, Mr Lee acknowledged that studies link poorly administered and frequent corporal punishment \u2013 particularly in unregulated settings such as the home \u2013 with negative outcomes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognise this, and I want to emphasise that the context in our schools is quite different,” said Mr Lee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Schools follow strict protocols when caning is considered: for example, it must be approved by the principal and administered only by authorised teachers. Schools also take into account the student’s maturity and whether the measure would help him learn from his mistake.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it is used, it is never administered in isolation but always as part of a suite of restorative and disciplinary measures,\u201d said Mr Lee.<\/p>\n
After caning, schools monitor the student’s well-being, provide counselling and support rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
MOE announced a stricter framework for student misconduct in April. Students who bully others can face suspension, caning and lowered conduct grades \u2013 similar to the guidelines introduced for vaping offences.<\/p>\n
First-time offenders of serious misconduct face one to three days of detention and\/or suspension, an adjusted conduct grade, and older boys may receive one stroke of the cane if there are aggravating factors.<\/p>\n
The approach is grounded in research showing that children and youth make better choices when there are “clear boundaries enforced by firm and meaningful consequences”, Mr Lee said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has a positive impact on reducing bullying and enables the school community to feel safe to learn in an orderly environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Lee stressed that caning applies only to boys, and only for egregious violations, in line with the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits the caning of women.<\/p>\n
This does not mean that girls who bully are less culpable, he said. Schools adopt a tiered approach ensuring all students face consequences proportionate to their actions. Girls may receive detention, suspension, conduct grade adjustments and other school-based consequences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n