But the principal, Saminathan Gopal, stood by his decision and described the punished students as recalcitrants, adding, "they were irresponsible and did not come for an important test."

Last month, each boy received two strokes of a cane on the buttocks and was sent for counselling later. Another 17 girls were sent for community work for skipping the tests as well.

While the education ministry gives principals the discretion and authority to cane students, it allows only a maximum of six light strokes on the palm or buttocks, and does not allow girls to be caned.

One parent, Mazlan Mohammad, whose 16-year-old son Del Rasullee overslept and missed five tests, said he backed the school policy.

"Missing tests is ridiculous. He should be caned and, if he misbehaves again, he should be caned again," he said. His son now vows to behave.

The education ministry said its guidelines do not specify what offences warrant caning as schools understand the students better and can decide on the most suitable form of punishment.

Caning for serious offences is also part of the criminal justice system in Singapore.
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