MPs urge stronger anti-bullying steps as Desmond Lee says MOE studies centralised, restorative approach

Parliament on 23 September 2025 heard renewed calls from Members of Parliament for stronger measures to protect students against bullying in schools. Education Minister Desmond Lee said the Ministry of Education (MOE) is considering proposals such as a centralised anti-bullying unit, expert guidance on restorative practices, and stronger engagement with parent support groups. These suggestions have come from parents, educators, community partners and MPs. According to Lee, they will be part of MOE’s ongoing review of school bullying, with final recommendations expected in the first half of 2026.

Framework for continuous improvement

“Improving our framework to tackle bullying is a continual work in progress,” Lee told the House, in response to multiple questions and suggestions from MPs. Jurong Central SMC MP Xie Yao Quan proposed a centralised unit to ease the administrative burden on teachers. He Ting Ru, Workers' Party MP for Sengkang GRC, suggested consulting child safety and violence-prevention experts, alongside closer collaboration with external agencies. Other MPs raised ideas such as giving schools more resources to investigate cases, ensuring parents are kept informed about Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) lessons, and empowering peers to support victims. Lee emphasised that the ministry sees bullying as a collective responsibility shared by educators, parents and society.

Discipline with a restorative focus

Lee stressed that discipline in schools must be educative and restorative. Children, he noted, often make mistakes and learn best when guided to reflect calmly on their actions. He explained that students should be encouraged to make amends, face appropriate consequences, and eventually rejoin their peers with continued support. “We have a collective responsibility to help our children, our next generation, learn how to relate to others, be kind and show respect to others,” he said.

Concerns from MPs about persistent cases

Jalan Besar MP Wan Rizal, himself both educator and parent, told Parliament that families worry schools may sometimes appear “too soft” in addressing cases. He urged greater empowerment of parents in managing such incidents. Other proposals included shifting from home to in-school suspensions, establishing anti-retaliation clauses, and creating more consistent reporting channels. MPs also queried whether MOE would consider publishing statistics on bullying and how preventive measures can be strengthened. The debate follows a recent case at Sengkang Green Primary, where a Primary 3 pupil bullied a female classmate and even sent death threats to her mother. The incident heightened public concern about the adequacy of school safeguards and intensified scrutiny on MOE’s approach. Lee reiterated the ministry’s firm stance against bullying, highlighting a balance of strong rules, preventive education, and discipline aimed at rehabilitation.

Earlier reviews and ongoing consultations

The minister explained that MOE has been conducting a “comprehensive review” of bullying since early 2025, focusing on school culture, values education, support for educators and stronger school-home partnerships. This builds on an internal review from 2020, which was part of the wider revamp of the CCE curriculum. That review led to measures introduced in 2021, including refreshed CCE lessons promoting kindness, the establishment of peer support systems, and the appointment of staff to cultivate positive school environments. These steps have since evolved into lessons on pro-social behaviours and how to respond to unsafe situations.

Monitoring victims and perpetrators

Louis Chua, WP MP for Sengkang GRC pressed the ministry on how closely schools monitor both victims and perpetrators after bullying cases are reported. He asked if safety plans for victims are consistently followed, and whether perpetrators receive long-term intervention. Chua also sought clarity on what gaps the ministry has identified so far, and when recommendations can be expected. Lee replied that schools already monitor children after disciplinary consequences are applied, with interventions tailored to each case. Depending on circumstances, school counsellors and external agencies such as REACH may also be involved.

Balancing resilience and protection

Lee highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that Singapore has about 400,000 primary and secondary school students, and about half a million learners in total across all levels. Yip Hon Weng, MP for Yio Chu Kang SMC asked whether there is a risk of over-reporting cases, and how MOE can balance resilience with protection for victims. “You can never get it perfect,” Lee said. Teachers, he explained, are encouraged to use incidents as teachable moments, without overprotecting children. He stressed that while resilience is important, intervention is necessary when interactions turn toxic or harmful. “When we say step in, it doesn’t mean we overprotect,” he said, noting that schools act to prevent further harm, support victims, and help perpetrators reflect and reform. Lee also underscored the importance of understanding the root causes of bullying, particularly in repeated cases. These may range from poor role modelling and social media influence, to special educational needs or family difficulties such as domestic violence. He said that educators and counsellors must not only address immediate behaviour but also help students build long-term resilience and empathy.