SCHOOL caning has never been abolished and remains permitted for male pupils for certain offences, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said today.
She said, however, the punishment could only be administered in accordance with established procedures by headmasters, principals or teachers expressly authorised to do so.
“One thing that has repeatedly been raised is that caning should be brought back. So I want to clarify that school caning has never been abolished.
“Punishment cannot be carried out arbitrarily, it cannot be administered out of anger and it must not cause injury. Every punishment must have a clear basis and be recorded in accordance with the applicable provisions,” she said.
Fadhlina was speaking at a press conference on developments in the death of Form Four student Irene Sofiyah at Parliament today.
She said the Education Ministry (MOE) would continue to clarify procedures governing school caning so that schools, parents and the public had a clear understanding of what was permitted and what was prohibited.
“From time to time, MOE will further clarify all these procedures so that schools, parents and the public clearly understand what is allowed and what is not allowed,” she said. - October 5, 2026
