In an effort to battle school bullying, this one government will now allow teachers to cane their students to create ‘firm, meaningful consequences’

Singapore’s education minister has officially confirmed that teachers are now authorized to use caning as a disciplinary measure to address extreme unruly behavior among students, specifically bullying. The government has been looking for ways to establish firm, meaningful consequences within the school system, and per CNN, this was the decision. Desmond Lee laid out the new rule during a session in parliament on Tuesday. 

The conversation specifically touched on the potential mental health impacts of using such physical discipline on children as young as 9 years old. Lee emphasized that the practice is intended to be a last resort. “Our schools use caning as a disciplinary measure if all the other measures are inadequate, given the gravity of the misconduct,” he stated. The government plans to roll out this new framework across schools throughout Singapore starting in 2027.

Lee explained that the system relies on specific procedural safeguards. “They follow strict protocols to ensure safety for the student. For instance, caning must be approved by the principal and administered only by authorised teachers,” he told lawmakers. Furthermore, the decision to use the cane is not automatic. 

I feel like there are a lot more ways to lay down boundaries

“Schools exercise discretion on whether to use caning as a disciplinary consequence after assessing the circumstances of the offense committed,” he added. “This 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,” Lee said, arguing that it serves as a tool to reduce bullying.

The urgency for these measures may be tied to the prevalence of bullying in the country. A study led by a researcher at the National Institute of Education found that approximately one in four primary school students has experienced bullying. According to Channel News Asia, this study, which involved 581 students between the ages of 9 and 13, highlights the depth of the issue. 

The research found that bullying often goes unreported to school staff, with only about 5 percent of victims speaking to teachers or counselors first. Many victims initially turn to friends or parents, but even then, the lack of immediate intervention can lead to long-term distress for the students involved. Very few are willing to fight back for fear of retaliation or punishment.

One parent, Sunny Ng, recounted how his 7-year-old son suffered from physical abuse, including being slapped, kicked, and pinched by classmates for months. The child experienced a significant decline in self-esteem, eventually telling his parents he felt ugly and messy because of the persistent torment. 

The Ministry of Education maintains that the average number of bullying incidents has remained steady at two per 1,000 students in primary schools. However, thanks to the prevalence of mobile devices and social media, the visibility of these acts has grown.

Despite the government’s push for these new disciplinary guidelines, the global perspective on corporal punishment remains critical. The World Health Organization has expressed strong opposition to such practices.

In a report published in August 2025, the organization stated, “The consequences of child corporal punishment can last a lifetime and undermine physical and mental health, education, and social and occupational functioning.” The organization further noted that there is overwhelming scientific evidence that the practice carries multiple risks of harm and provides no actual benefits for children or society.

Singapore has long been known for its strict legal framework, which sometimes extends to foreign nationals. The nation’s history with caning includes a high-profile 1993 case involving an American teenager named Michael Fay, who was sentenced to strokes of the cane for vandalism. That case caused an international stir, but the government maintained its stance on upholding its laws.

Under the new school guidelines, the Ministry of Education has specified that caning will be reserved exclusively for male students. “Caning is a disciplinary option for boys only, and for serious offences as a last resort, when absolutely necessary,” the ministry stated.