Debate heats up over plan to reimpose caning in Malaysian schools

The Malaysian government’s plan to reintroduce caning as part of broader efforts to curb widespread school violence has sparked debate.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that his administration is open to allowing teachers to administer caning as a form of punishment to prevent violent incidents and restore order in schools.

“Schools must not cover up bullying cases. Even in minor incidents, teachers should advise and, if necessary, administer caning as a form of reprimand,” he told the Straits Times. 

However, he stressed that caning must only be allowed under “strict conditions,” such as prohibiting public caning, to ensure that the punishment is not used to promote violence.

“Maybe you can cane the student’s hand, for example. This is not to say (teachers) can do whatever they want. I myself was a teacher and I think I have caned dozens of students, but in the palm of their hands,” he told the Malay Mail. 

Anwar expressed confidence that caning would help the government and authorities discipline mischievous students and maintain order in schools.

‘Time-tested’ solution for education system 

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek also expressed support for implementing caning, saying that it remains a “necessary form of punishment” in the country’s education system.

Similarly, a Selangor-based teacher who declined to be named welcomed the government’s proposal to revive caning as a punishment to discipline students and keep them in check.

“Caning is time-tested. It has proven effective in keeping problematic students in line. I am talking as a teacher and a father,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin supported the reintroduction of caning in schools but emphasised that it should only apply to disciplinary issues among students.

Caning won’t resolve violence, bullying in schools 

On the other hand, the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) rejected calls to impose regulated caning as a method of disciplining students.

MMHA president Dr Andrew Mohanraj said that implementing corporal punishment would not resolve the rising indiscipline and bullying cases among youth, warning that it would only do more harm than good in the long run.

“Physical punishment may produce short-term compliance but often leads to long-term emotional and behavioural consequences,” he told Free Malaysia Today. 

“Children who experience physical punishment are more likely to develop aggression, anxiety, low self-esteem and defiant behaviour – the very problems we hope to prevent,” he added. 

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Calls for compassionate discipline 

Instead of punitive measures, he urged the government and academic institutions to strengthen mental health and counselling support systems, and to provide training in positive discipline, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation for teachers.

“A safe and compassionate school is one where discipline is firm but fair, and where emotional wellbeing is prioritised alongside academic achievements,” he added.

Likewise, Malaysian Association for Education secretary Hamidi Mookkaiyah Abdullah also called on teachers and educational staff to adopt positive discipline methods such as reinforcement and modelling good behaviour.

Mookkaiyah stressed that these approaches are more effective in nurturing responsible, emotionally balanced students, which would help curb school-related violence and bullying in the long term.

Surge in school-related violence, bullying 

The debate over whether to reinstate caning emerged amid calls for stronger disciplinary measures in schools following a wave of school violence and bullying cases nationwide.

Among the cases that made headlines in recent weeks were the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old student in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, a gang rape case in Melaka, and a statutory rape case in Kedah.

The number of bullying incidents also continues to rise, with a total of 6,208 cases reported in schools between January and October 2024 alone, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.

Caning is still allowed in Malaysian schools under strict guidelines, though the practice has been largely discouraged in recent years.

With the alarming rise in school violence, the government must now find a balance between protecting students effectively and addressing the root causes of the issue.

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