Singapore has once again raised the tension between discipline and pedagogy. In a City-State where extreme public order is a hallmark, the Government has decided to strengthen its arsenal against school bullying with a controversial measure: corporal punishment, including caning, will be a legitimate tool in classrooms to combat bullying, although always as a last resort.
Education Minister Desmond Lee defended this approach in Parliament this week, combining firmness and institutional control. He explained that schools will only resort to this type of punishment when "all other measures prove insufficient," and always under a strict protocol: prior authorization from the principal, application by accredited teachers, and individual evaluation of the student, taking into account their maturity and the punishment's capacity to generate learning.
"It will never be used in isolation," Lee emphasized. Physical punishment is part of a broader package of measures that include "psychological monitoring, counseling, and support after the sanction". The minister stressed that the intention is not punitive in itself, but corrective: to redirect behaviors in an environment that prioritizes collective security over indulgence.
The new disciplinary framework, announced after a year of review and several bullying cases that shook public opinion, includes graduated sanctions. "First-time offenders" for serious offenses may face detention, suspension, or a downgrade in their conduct grade. In aggravated situations, male students (especially in the later years of primary and secondary school) may receive up to three strokes of the cane. Female students, on the other hand, are excluded from this practice by the Penal Code, which explicitly prohibits corporal punishment for females.
Singapore's policy clashes directly with international organizations such as UNICEF or the World Health Organization, which warn of the harmful effects of physical punishment on minors. Various studies cited by these entities link its frequent use to long-term mental health problems and aggressive behaviors. Lee did not shy away from criticism but qualified: "The context in our schools is different," he said, referring to the strict regulation and exceptional nature of the measure.
Beyond the classroom, the offensive against bullying includes the digital sphere. With the upcoming establishment of an online safety commission, victims of cyberbullying, personal data leaks, or abuse of intimate images will be able to report incidents more efficiently. Schools will act as the first line of defense, offering psychological support and guidance to escalate cases.
The tightening of school rules fits into a broader legal ecosystem where Singapore has built its reputation for zero tolerance. Corporal punishment is not an educational anomaly but an extension of a judicial system that still considers caning for crimes such as theft, fraud, or violations of immigration law. Introduced during the British colonial era, this punishment remains in force for males under 50 years old.
It is not the only rule that surprises visitors. In Singapore, home to five and a half million people, it is illegal to sell chewing gum (a law aimed at maintaining urban cleanliness), and fines for littering, smoking in unauthorized areas, or eating in public transport can be substantial. Vandalism, even in the form of graffiti, can also result in caning. The city operates as a system where discipline is non-negotiable, and civility is enforced, often through the law.