The Singaporean government is trying to address bullying in schools... by violently punishing students in schools. The Minister of Education, Desmond Lee, recently told Parliament that
authorized teachers and principals will be allowed to cane students - even children as young as 9 years old.This is cruel and completely counterproductive. Sign the petition to speak out against the Singapore government's plan to use caning as an anti-bullying tool for children.Caning is a form of painful corporeal punishment in which adults use cane sticks to hit or strike a student repeatedly. It can leave physical scars on the body, and instills terror and anxiety in children. It's a method of control that doesn't turn anyone into a 'better person,' and certainly doesn't address underlying causes of bullying.
But according to the Singapore government, caning young children will supposedly teach students to be kinder, gentler, and more respectful towards each other.
But mountains of research show that physical cruelty only begets more cruelty afterwards, creating ongoing cycles of abuse and harm. Perpetrators of violence are most often former victims of previous violence, carried out by other perpetrators.
The World Health Organization (WHO) summarized much of this research with a report in August 2025, in which it confirmed that "There is now overwhelming scientific evidence that child corporal punishment
carries multiple risks of harm and has no benefits for children, parents, or societies." In fact, research actually shows that instead, positive reinforcement and teaching social-emotional skills (like empathy and open communication) are much more effective solutions!
The WHO also confirmed that, not only does cruel physical punishment not actually result in any meaningful, long-term benefits, but it additionally has serious negative effects. The report states: "
The consequences of child corporal punishment can last a lifetime and undermine physical and mental health, education, and social and occupational functioning."
People around the world and within Singapore are expressing their shock and outrage over the government's new policy. Help us stand together for human rights by signing the petition urging Singapore to revoke its child caning policy!