Publishing Guidelines on Tackling Bullying in Schools

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry assesses there to be a robust legal regulatory framework in place that is sufficient to address incidents of bullying or violence in schools; and (b) whether the Ministry will publish its guidelines or regulations available to schools to tackle the problem for better understanding by the public.

My response will address the questions on bullying raised by Member Ms He Ting Ru and related question from Member Mr Cai Yinzhou who filed an oral Parliamentary Question for a subsequent Sitting. I invite Mr Cai to seek clarifications if needed and thereafter withdraw the question for that Sitting.

The Ministry of Education works within Singapore's legal framework to address bullying in schools. Schools communicate rules and disciplinary frameworks to staff, parents and students through platforms, such as student handbooks, student briefings and parent engagement sessions. After establishing facts, schools impose disciplinary consequences and educate students to restore relationships and change their behaviours. Severe cases are reported to the Police.

When bullying incidents occur, schools engage parents or guardians to inform them about the facts of the incident, work with them on the safety plan and provide them with resources to support the children at home. When families have other more complex issues that may affect the children's behaviours in school, schools will support the student while referring the family to community agencies for appropriate support.