Arabic version: المدارس في سنغافورة تطبق العقوبة بالجلد للجرائم الخطيرة من التنمر

Singapore has approved the use of caning as a disciplinary measure for school bullies under new anti-bullying guidelines. According to ABC News, boys found guilty of bullying could receive between one and three strokes of the cane, depending on the gravity of the offence.

Education Minister Desmond Lee emphasized that caning will be a last-resort option, employed only after other disciplinary measures have proven inadequate. He stated that strict safeguards will be in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the student, including the requirement for the principal’s approval and the administration of the punishment by authorized teachers.

Girls will not face caning, as Singapore’s Criminal Procedure Code prohibits the punishment of women in this manner. Instead, female students who bully may receive alternative disciplinary actions, such as suspension or detention.

The new guidelines, introduced by Singapore’s Ministry of Education in April, were discussed in parliament on Tuesday. Caning has a historical precedent in Singapore dating back to British colonial rule, although it has been abolished in the UK for many years. Human rights organizations have frequently criticized the use of corporal punishment, citing concerns about its potential harm.

Despite international opposition, Singaporean authorities continue to defend caning as an effective deterrent against serious misconduct in schools. The World Health Organization has reported that corporal punishment poses multiple risks to children and lacks any proven benefits.