Singapore's Ministry of Education has approved new rules to combat school bullying, including cyberbullying, reintroducing caning as a punishment for boys who humiliate their peers, The Guardian reports, citing Education Minister Desmond Lee.

The new measures were discussed in parliament on Tuesday. Caning will be used only as a last resort for boys aged 9 and above, with a maximum of three strokes. The system will be implemented in all Singapore schools from 2027.

Under Singapore law, physical punishment is banned for girls, so alternative measures such as detention, suspension, and demerit points will be applied to them.

Minister Lee stated that physical punishment will only be used “taking into account the severity of the misconduct, when all other measures have been insufficient.” He emphasized that school administrators will follow “strict protocols” to ensure student safety.

“Physical punishment must be approved by the principal and carried out only by authorized teachers. Schools will consider the student's maturity level and whether physical punishment will help him learn from his mistake and understand the seriousness of his actions,” Lee said.

After caning, the school will “monitor the student's condition and progress” and provide psychological support if necessary, Lee added.

The tightening of disciplinary measures was prompted by several high-profile bullying incidents last year that sparked public outrage, according to The Guardian.

Caning as a punishment was introduced in Singapore during British colonial rule in the 19th century and is still used today for men under 50 convicted of crimes such as robbery, fraud, or overstaying visas by more than 90 days.

A World Health Organization report released last year stated that physical punishment remains widespread and causes serious harm to children's physical and mental health. According to WHO, approximately 1.2 billion children under 18 worldwide experience physical punishment at home each year.

Source: www.gazeta.uz