Singapore is toughening its response to bullying in schools, with a move that is generating strong international debate. The Government began to allow the use of corporal punishment, namely caningfor boys aged nine or over, in cases considered serious.
According to the Minister of Education, Desmond Leea measure will only be applied as a “last resort”when other forms of discipline prove insufficient.
What is ‘caning’ and how will it work?
Students may receive up to three hits with the stickAlways upon approval of the school principal and carried out by authorized teachersfollowing defined protocols.
“Schools will take into account factors such as the student’s maturity and whether corporal punishment will help them learn from their mistake and understand the gravity of what they did,” he explained. Desmond Lee, Minister of Education of Singapore.
The decision comes after a year-long review of the phenomenon of bullying, driven by several media cases that generated public concern in the country.
The new rules also cover cyberbullying situations e apply only to male students, a distinction in line with national legislation, which prohibits this type of punishment for women.
Still, the students are subject to punishment like “detention and/or suspension, change in conduct grade and other school-level consequences”.
Despite guarantees of control and monitoring, including psychological support after punishmentthe measure is far from consensual.
International organizations such as criticize the use of physical punishment, warning of negative impacts on children’s mental health and development, in addition to the risk of worsening aggressive behavior.
A tradition in judicial flagellation
The use of caning has historical roots in Singapore, dating back to the British colonial period, and continues to be applied in the judicial system a male offenders under 50 for certain crimes, such as theft, derision or illegal stay in the country for more than 90 days after the visa expires.
According to the WHO, it is estimated that 1.2 billion childrenall over the world, with ages between 0 and 18 years old are subject to corporal punishment at home every year.
