{"id":50043,"date":"2026-05-05T21:47:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T13:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=50043"},"modified":"2026-05-05T21:47:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T13:47:36","slug":"schools-use-caning-if-other-measures-inadequate-desmond-lee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=50043","title":{"rendered":"Schools use caning if other measures inadequate: Desmond Lee"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SINGAPORE \u2013 Caning as a disciplinary measure is used only \u201cif all other measures are inadequate\u201d, and schools follow strict protocols to ensure the safety of students, said Education Minister Desmond Lee in Parliament on May 5. <\/p>\n

Caning must be approved by the principal and carried out only by authorised teachers, he said in response to several MPs, including Mr Alex Yeo (Potong Pasir), Dr Charlene Chen (Tampines GRC) and Mr Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC), who raised questions about the use of caning to address bullying.<\/span><\/a> <\/p>\n

Schools will also consider factors such as the student\u2019s maturity and whether caning would help him learn from his mistake, said Mr Lee. <\/p>\n

The minister noted that studies have linked frequent, unregulated corporal punishment in home settings to negative outcomes, but the school context is fundamentally different. He added that caning as a punishment is not new, and is part of a framework of disciplinary measures that provides \u201ccertainty of consequences\u201d. <\/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 he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cSchools will monitor the student\u2019s well-being and progress after caning and counsel the student to reflect and learn while supporting the student\u2019s rehabilitation,\u201d Mr Lee said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis approach is based on research which shows that children and youth learn to make better choices when there are clear boundaries enforced by firm, meaningful consequences,\u201d he said, adding that this has a \u201cpositive impact\u201d on reducing bullying and helps the school community feel safe, learning in an orderly environment. <\/p>\n

Overall, MPs on both sides of the House filed a total of 43 written and oral questions on bullying, following new anti-bullying measures<\/span><\/a> released by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on April 15. <\/p>\n

To allow MPs\u2019 questions on bullying to be answered, Deputy Leader of the House Zaqy Mohamad requested more time for questions. The time was extended by about 15 minutes, and Mr Lee spent a total of 50 minutes addressing queries on the topic. <\/p>\n

Apart from questioning the effectiveness of caning in reducing repeat offences and its long-term impact on mental health, MPs also sought transparency on how measures will be standardised across schools and the research underpinning them. <\/p>\n

They also raised concerns about safeguards for students with special needs, and how punitive measures reconcile with MOE\u2019s goal of a restorative school culture.<\/p>\n

The ministry\u2019s anti-bullying recommendations, which followed a year-long review involving 2,000 stakeholders, include standardised disciplinary guidelines across all schools. These include detention or suspension, caning and adjusting students\u2019 conduct grades, as well as a new reporting channel, faster communication with parents, and funding to hire additional manpower for schools that need it.<\/p>\n

To ensure consistency, Mr Lee told the House that all schools must develop their own anti-bullying policies by the end of 2026 based on the new MOE guidelines. <\/p>\n

Addressing questions from Mr Patrick Tay (Pioneer), Mr Yeo and Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio GRC) about why caning is meted out only for boys, Mr Lee said the practice aligns with the established legal framework under the Education (Schools) Regulations. <\/p>\n

Citing the Criminal Procedure Code, which states that women should not be punished with caning, Mr Lee said: \u201cNonetheless, this does not mean that girls who bully or engage in hurtful behaviour are less culpable.\u201d<\/p>\n

He noted that while girls are not caned, they face a tiered disciplinary approach \u2013 including detention, suspension and adjustments to their conduct grades \u2013 to ensure that consequences remain proportionate to the severity of the offence. <\/p>\n

The workload for teachers may also increase in the short term, said Mr Lee, as schools roll out the recommendations progressively and make adjustments. <\/p>\n

Apart from providing additional funding,<\/span><\/a> MOE is developing an offence management system to support case investigation, documentation and monitoring, he added. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs processes and norms become clearer, workload ought to stabilise,\u201d Mr Lee said. <\/p>\n

MPs also asked about specific guidelines for student transfers and restorative justice, safeguards to protect students\u2019 mental health and those with special needs, and the management of cyberbullying. <\/p>\n

Acknowledging that more consistent management of bullying across schools is important, Mr Lee said MOE has provided schools with clearer guidelines on establishing offence management processes and disciplinary measures. <\/p>\n

Cluster superintendents, who oversee a group of schools, will provide further guidance and support to schools on implementing these processes, he added. <\/p>\n

Mr Lee also said schools will maintain \u201ctimely communication\u201d with parents, even as time is needed to look into incidents and establish facts. <\/p>\n

If a student chooses to confide in family or friends rather than school staff, Mr Lee said parents should inform the school and work with the school to support the child.<\/p>\n

Parents who may have concerns regarding the management of a specific incident should engage the school directly, he said. <\/p>\n