KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) today rejected a proposal that would criminalise the caning of students, but recommended educators adhere to guidelines for corporal punishment to prevent abuse.

NUTP secretary-general Lok Yim Phen pointed out that caning is allowed under a circular on disciplinary measures issued by the Education Ministry that dates back to 1959, which specifies that the punishment must only be meted out in a “controlled environment”.

“We disagree with the proposal that caning should be a criminal offence, but we would like to advise our teachers to practise restraint,” she said at a press conference today.

In the circular issued under the 1957 Education Ordinance, caning is only permitted for “regular to heavy offences” including alcohol consumption, drug use and insubordination, under the supervision or with permission of the school principal.

Lok added that teachers should not act emotionally or when they are under tremendous stress as the act of caning could then be construed as abuse.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim was quoted as saying this month that caning could be an offence under a new law set to replace the Child Act 2001.

She later clarified that the provision proposed by the ministry under the new Child Act is not meant to outlaw all forms of caning of children, only those meted out to child offenders in court.

Her ministry also pointed out that the proposal to abolish caning in court was in line with principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Malaysia has ratified.