Students Suspended for Sporting Tattoos

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Education (a) in the past three years, how many students have been suspended from school for sporting tattoos; (b) what percentage of such students have participated in the tattoo removal programme by the National Skin Centre; (c) what support or interventions have been provided for students who do not continue with the programme; (d) whether the no-tattoo policy is consistently enforced across all schools; and (e) how is the Ministry raising the awareness of such a policy among students and parents.

Schools have clear rules forbidding students to sport tattoos.

Schools rarely encounter students with tattoos. Offenders would be asked to cover up their tattoos or have them removed. In the past three years, fewer than 10 students per year were suspended for sporting tattoos and not complying with the school’s advice to cover or remove the tattoos. Where necessary, schools have assisted in referring students for the tattoo removal programme by the National Skin Centre. The Ministry of Education does not track the number of students participating in the tattoo removal programme.

Schools engage students and parents on the school rules and expectations, including not having tattoos on any part of the body. In managing students with tattoos, schools adopt an educative approach, providing guidance and counselling to help students work through underlying issues.