Singapore introduces caning for male school bullies as last-resort punishment
Consensus Summary
Singapore has introduced new guidelines allowing male students aged 9–12 and above to face up to three strokes of the cane as a last-resort punishment for bullying, including cyberbullying. The measure, discussed in parliament on May 6, 2026, applies only after other disciplinary actions fail and requires principal approval. Female students will receive alternative punishments like detention or suspension, as Singapore’s Criminal Procedure Code prohibits caning for women. Schools must monitor students’ wellbeing post-caning and provide counseling. The policy follows a year-long review and high-profile bullying cases. While authorities defend caning as a deterrent, international groups like Unicef and the WHO oppose corporal punishment, citing harm to children’s health and development. The practice remains controversial, with human rights groups criticizing its use in both education and criminal justice systems.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Male students aged 9–12 and above in Singapore can face up to three strokes of the cane for bullying, including cyberbullying, under new guidelines
- Caning will only be used as a last resort after other measures fail, with approval required from the school principal and administered by authorized teachers
- Female students will face punishments such as detention, suspension, or grade adjustments instead of caning, as Singapore’s Criminal Procedure Code prohibits caning for women
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that corporal punishment carries multiple risks of harm and has no benefits, citing overwhelming scientific evidence
- Singapore’s Education Minister Desmond Lee discussed the new measures in parliament on May 6, 2026, following a year-long review of bullying incidents
- Schools will monitor the student’s wellbeing and progress post-caning, including providing counseling
- Judicial caning in Singapore was first introduced by British colonialists in the 19th century and remains in use for male offenders under 50 for crimes like robbery or visa overstays
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The new anti-bullying measures were introduced in April 2026, with parliament discussing standardization on May 6, 2026.
- Australia banned the use of the cane in government schools in the 1980s and 1990s, with some non-government schools in Victoria and the Northern Territory stopping only in the early 2000s.
- Human rights groups have regularly criticized Singapore for the use of corporal punishment in both education and criminal justice systems.
- Unicef and the UN oppose the use of corporal punishment for children, stating it harms physical and mental health and increases behavioral problems over time.
- A WHO report from 2025 stated that 1.2 billion children aged 0–18 globally are subjected to corporal punishment at home annually.
- The measures follow high-profile school bullying incidents in Singapore that drew public attention in 2025.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the new guidelines were discussed in parliament on May 6, 2026, while ABC mentions the discussion occurred on May 6 but notes the measures were introduced in April 2026 without specifying a date for the parliamentary discussion.
Source Articles
Singapore introduces caning for boys who bully others at school
Under new guidelines caning will only be used in schools for male students aged nine and above Male school students who bully others, including through cyberbullying, will face caning as a “last resort” under new guidelines introduced in Singapore. Male students can face up to three strokes of the cane under the new rules, which were discussed in parliament on Tuesday. Continue reading...
Singapore approves caning for school bullies
The move is part of Singapore's new anti-bullying measures introduced by the Ministry of Education.