MOE to provide extra needs-based funding to schools for more manpower to tackle bullying

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has developed nine recommendations across four key areas to better address hurtful behaviours and bullying in schools.

This is done with the support of the COMmunity and PArents in Support of Schools (COMPASS) Council following a comprehensive action review against bullying, the ministry said in a press release on Apr. 15.

Minister for Education Desmond Lee also spoke to the media about the recommendations and the need to strengthen existing efforts to address bullying during a visit to Teck Ghee Primary School.

Tackling bullying

Starting from early last year, the ministry has been reviewing existing measures to tackle hurtful behaviour and bullying in schools, he shared.

Following engagement with various stakeholders like parents, students and teachers since August 2025, the review has since been completed, he said, and they have been in the process of implementing some of the nine measures that were recommended by the review.

According to MOE, the majority agreed that addressing bullying holistically requires multiple parties working together.

This involves collective action from schools, families, and the wider community through strengthened systems and processes in schools, positive culture-building, and coordinated society-wide efforts.

Review recommendations

The nine recommendations are spread across four key areas:

Enhance values education

1. Strengthen values education by using more engaging teaching strategies and real-life scenarios.

2. Empower students to lead their peers and shape prosocial norms.

One of the key areas MOE is focusing on is to enhance values education in the curriculum and co-curriculum to develop students' character and social-emotional skills such as empathy, resilience, and conflict management.

For example, more role-play and authentic scenarios will be incorporated to allow students to practise perspective taking, conflict management and resolution, and learn how they can be upstanders, they shared.

Schools will further empower students to "lead and foster a pro-social peer culture" where they look out for one another, stand together against hurtful behaviours, and support students who are affected by such hurtful behaviours.

Strengthen school culture and processes

3. Deepen a culture of kindness and respect in all schools.

4. Strengthen school policies, processes and reporting channels to address hurtful behaviours and bullying in a timely and consistent manner.

5. Strengthen management of cyber-related incidents.

The recommendations also include strengthening school culture and processes.

"We recognise that schools play a central role in creating a safe, caring and enabling environment for our students," they said.

MOE said they will continue to deepen a culture of kindness and respect in all schools, as well as strengthen schools' management of hurtful behaviours and bullying, including cyber-related incidents.

Schools will thus be provided with clearer guidelines on case management processes, including communication timelines, safety planning, disciplinary measures, counselling and restorative actions, to address hurtful behaviours and bullying in a timely and consistent manner.

MOE is also planning to increase the availability and accessibility of reporting channels and support for affected students.

Lee shared that there are plans for an online platform to allow people to report hurtful behaviour and bullying from 2027, which will provide another avenue for children to get the help that they need.

Deepen school and staff capacity

6. Provide needs-based funding for schools to procure manpower services

7. Enhance professional development for educators

Another area is deepening school and staff capacity — MOE said they will provide additional needs-based funding for schools to hire additional manpower, which will support schools in student management whilst managing teacher workload.

They plan to also tap into technology to improve case management processes and facilitate timely communication and intervention.

Enhance school-home-community partnerships

8. Deepen partnership with parents to strengthen values education at home, support their children and work with schools

9. Strengthen partnerships with the wider community

Lastly, MOE said they aim to enhance whole-of-society partnerships, as creating safe environments for children extends beyond the homes and schools.

"Parents and families can reinforce positive values and character at home through adult role-modelling and partner schools to support their child's development and well-being," they said, adding that they will also work with community partners like civil society organisations and social service agencies.

Information and resources on managing hurtful behaviours and supporting children's well-being are available on the MOE website.

Top photos via Mothership