Singapore Considers Caning for School Bullying, Education Minister Stresses Last Resort
Singapore's Ministry of Education has announced new guidelines for school bullying, suggesting caning as a possible punishment. However, the Education Minister stated in parliament that this would be a measure of last resort, accompanied by strict safeguards.
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Singapore, 5th, comprehensive foreign report) Singapore's Ministry of Education announced new guidelines in April, stating that school bullies could be subject to caning. However, Singaporean Education Minister Chan Chun Sing told Parliament today that this punishment would only be used as a last resort and would be accompanied by strict safeguards.
Agence France-Presse reported that human rights groups frequently criticize the continued existence of corporal punishment in Singapore's school system and criminal justice. A report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) last year also stated that "there is overwhelming scientific evidence showing that corporal punishment of children not only carries multiple risks of harm but also provides no benefits."
To help schools address serious student misconduct such as bullying, Singapore's Ministry of Education issued a series of stricter new guidelines on April 15, including that offending students could face up to three strokes of the cane.
As Members of Parliament in Singapore sought to understand how caning would be used in school bullying cases, they raised questions today. Chan Chun Sing replied that schools would only administer caning when student misconduct was severe and all other disciplinary measures were insufficient to correct the behavior.
He also stated that to ensure the safety of students being punished, schools would follow strict procedures, such as requiring approval from the principal and being administered only by authorized teachers. Furthermore, as Singapore's penal code stipulates that females are not subject to caning, this punishment is limited to male students.
Chan Chun Sing added that schools would consider multiple factors when deciding whether to impose caning, such as the student's maturity and whether it would help them learn from their mistakes and understand the seriousness of their actions. Schools would also continue to monitor the student's physical and mental well-being and improvement, including providing counseling. (Compiler: Chang Cheng-chien) 1150505
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(Central News Agency Singapore, 5th, comprehensive foreign report) Singapore's Ministry of Education announced new guidelines in April, stating that school bullies could be subject to caning. However, Singaporean Education Minister Chan Chun Sing told Parliament today that this punishment would only be used as a last resort and would be accompanied by strict safeguards.
Agence France-Presse reported that human rights groups frequently criticize the continued existence of corporal punishment in Singapore's school system and criminal justice. A report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) last year also stated that "there is overwhelming scientific evidence showing that corporal punishment of children not only carries multiple risks of harm but also provides no benefits."
To help schools address serious student misconduct such as bullying, Singapore's Ministry of Education issued a series of stricter new guidelines on April 15, including that offending students could face up to three strokes of the cane.
As Members of Parliament in Singapore sought to understand how caning would be used in school bullying cases, they raised questions today. Chan Chun Sing replied that schools would only administer caning when student misconduct was severe and all other disciplinary measures were insufficient to correct the behavior.
He also stated that to ensure the safety of students being punished, schools would follow strict procedures, such as requiring approval from the principal and being administered only by authorized teachers. Furthermore, as Singapore's penal code stipulates that females are not subject to caning, this punishment is limited to male students.
Chan Chun Sing added that schools would consider multiple factors when deciding whether to impose caning, such as the student's maturity and whether it would help them learn from their mistakes and understand the seriousness of their actions. Schools would also continue to monitor the student's physical and mental well-being and improvement, including providing counseling. (Compiler: Chang Cheng-chien) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.