Singapore has introduced new rules allowing boys to be caned for bullying and cyberbullying in schools. The Guardian reported this on May 6.
Under the new rules, male students can receive up to three strokes of the cane. Such punishment will only be used as a “last resort” if other disciplinary methods have failed.
Singapore's Education Minister Desmond Lee told Parliament that punishment decisions must be approved by the school principal and can only be carried out by authorized teachers.
He said schools would consider the age and maturity of the student and whether the punishment would help them understand the seriousness of the offence.
The new rules only apply to boys over the age of nine. For girls, other disciplinary measures are provided – detention after school, suspension or reduction in grades for behavior.
The Singapore government attributed the changes to an annual review of its bullying policy following several high-profile cases of bullying in schools.
At the same time, international organizations, in particular UNICEF and WHO, oppose corporal punishment of children, emphasizing that it can be harmful to physical and mental health.
