Stricter Anti-Bullying Measures in Singapore Schools from 2027

The Ministry of Education (MOE) recently announced a slew of measures that will be introduced from 2027 to tackle bullying in Singapore, amid rising concern over bullying incidents in Singapore schools. One of these measures is the introduction of a nationwide framework to standardise disciplinary measures across all schools.

In 2025, a spike in reported bullying cases drew significant public attention. Parents, educators and advocacy groups raised concerns about the inconsistency in how schools handled bullying incidents, with some schools imposing relatively lenient consequences while others took a stricter approach. For example, for the same bullying incident (e.g. intentionally tripping a classmate), one school may punish the bully by making him/her apologise to the victim privately and to send the bully for counselling, whereas another school may decide to suspend the bully because of the deliberateness of his/her actions.

In response, MOE undertook a comprehensive review that identified bullying as a multi-faceted issue requiring systemic intervention. The review culminated in nine recommendations aimed at strengthening bullying prevention and response across Singapore’s education system. These recommendations span a range of areas, including more timely and consistent updates from schools to parents, improved reporting channels, more funding for schools that need support in managing bullying cases, enhanced pastoral measures and the introduction of a standardised disciplinary framework.

This article focuses on the new framework for standardised disciplinary measures and will cover the following topics:

• What are the new standardised disciplinary measures?
• How are bullying offences categorised under the framework?
• What are the punishments that might apply for these offences?
• How will schools decide the appropriate punishment?
• What are the other measures that will be introduced to tackle bullying in Singapore schools?
• What are the implications for educators, parents and students?

What are the New Standardised Disciplinary Measures for Bullying?

​Baseline punishments across all schools

By 2027, all schools must adopt a common set of disciplinary measures for dealing with bullying and other forms of student misconduct. These include:

• Detention
• Suspension
• Caning (only for male students at upper primary and above levels)
• Conduct grade adjustments

These baseline measures are intended to provide a clear and uniform set of consequences that students, parents and educators across Singapore can expect when bullying or other serious misconduct occurs in schools.

​Why the need for standardisation?

Previously, schools had broad discretion in handling misconduct, and there was no uniform set of disciplinary measures that applied across all schools. This led to situations where similar bullying behaviour could attract very different consequences depending on which school the student attended, giving rise to perceptions of unfairness. For example, a student who physically bullied a classmate might receive a verbal warning at one school but face suspension at another, despite the severity of the conduct being comparable.

The new framework aims to address this by achieving three key objectives:

• Ensure consistency across schools: By setting baseline standards, all schools will have a common reference point for disciplinary measures.
• Provide clear expectations for students and parents: Students and parents will know in advance what types of consequences may follow from bullying behaviour, promoting transparency and accountability.
• Reduce perceived unfairness in disciplinary outcomes: A standardised approach helps to ensure that similar conduct attracts similar consequences, regardless of the school attended.

​How do these measures fit within the existing approach?

It is worth noting that schools in Singapore are not operating in a regulatory vacuum when it comes to disciplinary matters. Part 13 of the Education (Schools) Regulations already provides a legal framework governing certain disciplinary measures such as caning. Under the existing Regulations, caning in schools is subject to specific conditions and safeguards, including restrictions on who may administer it and the number of strokes that may be imposed.

The new framework builds on this existing foundation by broadening the scope of standardised disciplinary tools and providing clearer guidelines for their application. At the time of this article, it remains to be seen whether these new measures will be formally legislated as part of the Education (Schools) Regulations or introduced through other regulatory instruments.

How are Bullying Offences Categorised Under the Framework?

Under the new framework, student misconduct is categorised into two tiers – serious offences and very serious offences, each attracting different levels of disciplinary response.

​”Serious offences”

Serious offences encompass a range of misconduct that may breach school rules or, in some cases, the law. These include:

• Truancy: This refers to intentionally skipping school without a valid excuse or parental permission.
• Cheating: This covers academic dishonesty, such as copying during examinations or submitting work that is not one’s own.
• Pornography-related offences: This covers the possession of pornographic material on school premises.
• Vaping: The use of e-cigarettes or vaporisers, which is prohibited in Singapore.
• Other misconduct: This may include acts such as theft of a classmate’s belongings, vandalism of school property or forgery (e.g. forging of medical certificates to skip school).
• Bullying: This includes physical, verbal, social and cyberbullying. Bullying involves persistent and intentional hurtful acts. For example, a student who repeatedly sends threatening or humiliating messages to a classmate via social media, or a group of students who deliberately and persistently exclude another student from activities with the intent to cause distress, may be considered to have committed bullying.

​”Very serious offences”

Very serious offences involve conduct of a more severe nature, often with criminal dimensions. These include:

• Arson: The deliberate setting of fires on school premises or in connection with school activities.
• Drug abuse: The consumption or possession of controlled substances.
• Fighting: Engaging in physical altercations that cause or risk causing bodily harm.
• Severe vaping-related offences: For instance, the distribution or sale of vaping products to other students.
• Other criminal acts causing grievous harm: This covers a broad range of conduct, including assault occasioning serious injury.
• Severe bullying: This would cover bullying behaviour which goes beyond what is described above. This includes behaviour which tends to be aggressive, intentional and repeated, and that involves a group element. For example, a group of students ganging up against another student, and physically assaulting him during lunchtime daily. An example of severe bullying would be a highly publicised incident in 2025, where three students were suspended after threatening to kill a classmate and her family.

​What does the classification depend on?

The classification of an offence as “serious” or “very serious” depends on several factors:

• Impact on the victim: The extent of physical, emotional or psychological harm suffered by the victim is a primary consideration.
• Intent of the offender: Whether the conduct was deliberate or impulsive will be taken into account. A student who plans and carries out a sustained campaign of bullying against a classmate, for example, may be treated more severely than one who acts in the heat of the moment.
• Repetition (recalcitrance): Repeat offenders who continue to engage in bullying despite prior warnings or disciplinary action may have their offences classified as “very serious”.

What are the Punishments That Might Apply for These Offences?

​What are the punishments for serious and very serious offences?

Generally speaking, the punishments for very serious offences are harsher than those for serious offences. However, even within each category of offences, there are various tiers of punishments that apply depending on whether the offender is a first-time, second-time or subsequent offender.

For first-time offenders, the punishments are calibrated to signal the seriousness of the misconduct while allowing first-time offenders the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and modify their behaviour. On the other hand, harsher penalties may be imposed for second-time or subsequent offenders, as the repeated conduct indicates a pattern of behaviour and lack of remorse or change.

The punishment ranges for both serious and very serious offences are summarised in the two tables below:

​Who would administer the punishments?

Under the framework, the administration of disciplinary measures remains the responsibility of the school, with decisions being made by the school’s disciplinary committee or leadership team. For more severe cases, MOE may be consulted or involved in the decision-making process.

​Who does the punishment of caning apply to?

Caning applies only to male students at the upper primary level (i.e. Primary 4 and above). This is consistent with the existing provisions under Part 13 of the Education (Schools) Regulations, which already restrict the use of caning as a disciplinary measure in schools. It should be noted that the use of caning as a school disciplinary tool is distinct from judicial caning, which is imposed by the courts as part of a criminal sentence. School caning is subject to its own set of safeguards and is administered under controlled conditions.

The main consideration behind deciding whether to impose caning or not is the presence of aggravating factors. Aggravating factors are factors which indicate the degree of seriousness of the offence committed, and can include factors such as whether there was premeditation behind the offence, the extent of harm caused by the commission of the offence, etc.

​Conduct grade adjustments and non-physical penalties

Beyond physical penalties, students’ conduct grades may also be lowered for misconduct. A lowered conduct grade can have broader implications for a student’s academic record and may affect their eligibility for certain programmes or awards. This serves as an additional layer of accountability, reinforcing the message that bullying and other misconduct have tangible consequences beyond the immediate disciplinary measures imposed.

How Will Schools Decide the Appropriate Punishment?

​Key factors considered

As can be seen from the tables above, the punishment framework sets out ranges of punishment for each category of offences, and for each tier based on whether the offender is a first-time offender or not. Hence, schools must assess each case using the following three factors, similar to the factors separating serious and very serious offences, to determine the appropriate disciplinary response within the ranges provided:

• Severity of harm: The degree of physical, emotional or psychological injury suffered by the victim.
• Intent: Whether the offender acted deliberately or impulsively. For instance, a student who carefully plans and executes a campaign of cyberbullying against a classmate would be treated differently from one who makes a hurtful remark in the heat of an argument.
• Pattern of behaviour: Whether the student has a history of similar misconduct, which may indicate a need for more robust intervention.

As an example of how this would work, imagine that a school had previously categorised an offender’s bullying conduct (e.g. intentionally kicking another student during a sports activity in class) as a serious offence. If he is a first-time offender, he may be subject to 1 to 3 days of detention and/or suspension, a conduct grade adjustment, and/or 1 stroke of the cane. If the school assesses that this was a one-off impulsive incident, with a low degree of harm caused to the victim, the school may decide to impose only a 1-day detention and a conduct grade adjustment.

​Mitigating factors

Before imposing severe penalties such as caning, schools must consider several mitigating factors:

• Age and maturity: Younger students may be treated with greater leniency, recognising that their capacity for understanding the consequences of their actions may be less developed.
• Special educational needs: Students with learning disabilities, developmental conditions or other special needs may require a different disciplinary approach that takes into account their specific circumstances.
• Mental well-being: Schools should consider whether the student’s conduct may be linked to underlying mental health issues, and whether pastoral or counselling support may be more appropriate than punitive measures.

​Do schools still have the ability to exercise discretion?

While the framework standardises the available disciplinary tools, schools retain flexibility to adjust outcomes based on context. This means that schools are not required to impose a fixed penalty for every offence but may tailor the disciplinary response to the circumstances of each individual case. Schools may also introduce additional school-based consequences beyond the baseline measures, such as requiring the offender to participate in community service or counselling programmes, or to write reflections and share lessons learnt with their peers.

​Can a student potentially be liable for criminal charges?

In certain circumstances, a student may face criminal liability in addition to the disciplinary measures outlined above. This is more likely to arise where the bullying conduct constitutes a criminal offence under Singapore law – for instance, where it involves assault, criminal intimidation, harassment, or offences under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA). In such cases, the school may be obliged to involve the police, and the student may be subject to both school disciplinary proceedings and criminal proceedings.

For example, if a student’s bullying involves threats of physical violence or the actual infliction of bodily harm, this may amount to an offence of voluntarily causing hurt under the Penal Code, which is a criminal offence. Similarly, persistent cyberbullying may constitute an offence under the POHA, which criminalises harassment and facilitates the issuance of protection orders.

What are the Other Measures That Will be Introduced to Tackle Bullying in Singapore Schools?

In addition to the standardised disciplinary framework, MOE’s package of measures includes several other initiatives aimed at addressing bullying more holistically.

​New online reporting channel for bullying

A key initiative is the establishment of a new, centralised online reporting channel for bullying. This platform is designed to serve as a one-stop resource for students and parents, enabling them to:

• Report bullying incidents: Students who experience or witness bullying will be able to submit reports through the platform, making it easier for them to come forward.
• Submit incident details: The platform will allow users to provide detailed accounts of bullying incidents, including relevant evidence such as screenshots of cyberbullying messages.
• Receive timely updates: Parents will be able to receive progress updates on investigations into reported bullying incidents, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the handling of such cases.

The reporting channel is modelled, in part, on the statutory reporting mechanism established under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill for online harms, which similarly provides victims with a streamlined avenue for reporting harmful conduct and seeking redress. By centralising the reporting process, MOE aims to reduce the barriers that may discourage students from reporting bullying – whether those barriers are fear of retaliation, uncertainty about how to report, or a lack of confidence that reports will be taken seriously.

​Other pastoral measures

Beyond punitive and reporting measures, MOE has also emphasised the importance of pastoral support as part of a comprehensive anti-bullying strategy. These measures are intended to complement the disciplinary framework and address the root causes of bullying behaviour. They include:

• Counselling programmes: Increased funding for manpower, including school counsellors and psychologists for both victims and perpetrators of bullying. For victims, counselling may help to address the emotional and psychological impact of the bullying. For perpetrators, counselling can provide an opportunity to understand the harm caused by their behaviour and to develop more constructive ways of interacting with peers.
• Peer support and mentoring programmes: Schools may establish peer support networks where trained student mentors can provide guidance and support to students who are at risk of being bullied or who are struggling with behavioural issues.
• Restorative practices: Some schools may adopt restorative justice approaches in conjunction with the imposition of disciplinary measures, where the perpetrator is brought together with the victim in a facilitated setting to discuss the impact of the bullying and to agree on steps to repair the harm caused. This approach has been used in other contexts in Singapore – for example, the Community Remedial Initiative (CRI) introduced under the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill provides offenders in less serious cases with the opportunity to make amends to the affected religious community and learn from their mistakes.
• Anti-bullying education and awareness programmes: Schools will be encouraged to integrate anti-bullying education into the curriculum, helping students to recognise bullying behaviour, understand its consequences and develop empathy and respect for others.

What are the Implications for Educators, Parents and Students?

​For educators

The new framework has significant implications for educators. Teachers and school administrators will need to familiarise themselves with the standardised disciplinary measures and the criteria for their application. Schools will be expected to implement the new framework consistently, which may require additional training for staff on how to identify, document and respond to bullying incidents. Educators will also need to exercise professional judgment in applying the mitigating factors outlined in the framework, balancing the need for accountability with sensitivity to the individual circumstances of each student.

Additionally, the introduction of the online reporting channel means that schools may receive more reports of bullying than before, as barriers to reporting are lowered. Schools will need to ensure that they have adequate resources and processes in place to investigate and respond to these reports promptly and effectively.

​For parents

For parents, the new measures bring greater transparency and clarity to how bullying is handled in schools. Parents of students who bully others should be aware that their children may face a range of standardised consequences, including detention, suspension, conduct grade adjustments and, for male students, caning. Parents should also be mindful that in serious cases, their child may face criminal liability in addition to school disciplinary measures.

For parents of victims, the new reporting channel provides a more accessible avenue for raising concerns and tracking the progress of investigations. Parents should encourage their children to come forward if they experience or witness bullying and  actively engage with the school’s response.

​For students

For students, the message is clear: bullying will not be tolerated, and the consequences are now more clearly defined and consistently applied across all schools. Students who engage in bullying behaviour can expect to face meaningful disciplinary measures, which may include a combination of detention, suspension, caning and conduct grade adjustments, depending on the severity of their conduct.

For victims, the new framework and accompanying measures represent a step forward in ensuring that their reports are taken seriously and that there is a structured, transparent process for addressing their concerns. The availability of pastoral support, including counselling and peer mentoring, also means that victims will have access to additional resources to help them cope with the impact of bullying.

​Other points to note for parents and students

Parents and students should keep in mind that these measures are currently scheduled for implementation from 2027, and further details – including the precise regulatory form that the framework will take – are expected to be announced by MOE in due course. It is advisable to monitor MOE’s official announcements for updates on the implementation timeline and any subsidiary legislation or guidelines that may be issued.

It is also worth noting that Singapore’s broader legal framework for addressing harmful behaviour – including the POHA, the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill, and the Penal Code – may apply to bullying conduct that goes beyond the school’s disciplinary context. Students and parents should be aware that particularly serious instances of bullying may give rise to both school disciplinary proceedings and legal consequences under these laws.

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The introduction of a standardised disciplinary framework for bullying in Singapore schools represents a significant step towards creating a more structured and transparent approach to handling bullying incidents. By establishing baseline punishments, categorising offences by severity and providing clear criteria for decision-making, the framework aims to ensure consistency, fairness and accountability across all schools.

Together with the new online reporting channel, enhanced pastoral support measures and the broader legislative landscape for addressing harmful conduct, these measures reflect MOE’s commitment to tackling bullying as a multi-faceted issue requiring a multi-pronged response. While the framework preserves the ability of schools to exercise discretion in individual cases, it sets a clear minimum standard that students, parents and educators can rely on.

If you have concerns about bullying incidents involving your child or wish to understand your child’s rights and obligations under the new framework, you may consult a criminal lawyer for further advice. A lawyer will be able to advise you on the legal aspects of your specific situation, including whether any criminal liability may arise and what legal remedies may be available.