Survey finds big support to bring back the cane from parents

Corporal punishment in schools was outlawed more than two decades ago, but a new poll suggest public opinion may be turning back in its favour. DAN WARBURTON speaks to those charged with looking after the North East’s children – from The Journal (Newcastle) September 2011.

ALMOST half of parents believe caning should be brought back to the classroom, a survey suggests.

A fifth of children are also in favour of the return of corporal punishment for very bad behaviour, it found.

The survey, commissioned by the Times Educational Supplement (TES) reveals that the majority of both parents and pupils think teachers should have the power to be tougher on unruly children.

More than nine in 10 parents (93%) and two thirds of children (68%) think teachers need to have more authority in the classroom.

But have our schools become too lenient and should teachers have the authority to discipline youngsters in their care with force?

A report released last year from government inspectors Ofsted revealed some schools in poorer communities are excelling against the odds due to tougher discipline regimes.

Stricter rules on uniforms, banning pupils for having radical hairstyles and involving parents more are some of the methods the report says are working.

Last night the child protection charity NSPCC said strict rules were a far cry from striking youngsters and said teachers had a responsible to delve deeper to combat bad behaviour.

Head of strategy and development Lisa Harker said: “If a child is behaving very badly in school, it’s important to consider factors that may be occurring in their home life.

“In some cases, serious behavioural problems can be a symptom of abuse. Schools need to be alert to this and should be able to respond with additional support for that child or be able to take protective action.

“Children must have clear boundaries, but inflicting corporal punishment when they cross them is not the answer.”

The new survey, commissioned by the Times Educational Supplement, claims that the majority of both parents and pupils think teachers should have the power to be tougher on unruly children.

It found that around 91% of parents and 62% of children think teachers should be allowed to be tougher when it comes to discipline.

The poll reveals that many believe one way to crack down on bad behaviour is to reintroduce corporal punishment.

In cases of very bad behaviour, nearly half of parents (49%) and a fifth (19%) of pupils agreed that corporal punishment, such as the cane or slipper, should be brought back.

The researchers also asked specific questions about the methods used to deal with naughty pupils.

In general, 40% of parents and 14% of pupils agreed that caning or smacking should be used to discipline children. But 53% of parents and 77% of children were against it, the poll shows.

Michelle Williams, teachers’ union NASUWT national executive member, said: “We are against caning in schools and we don’t believe it should be brought back. I’m not sure why these statistics have been released now, it baffles me.

“Corporal punishment leads to many, many difficulties and for years we were told we were not allowed to punish children in that way. We’ve never really held a position where we have been pro-caning and we certainly welcomed the end of corporal punishment.”

The survey comes just a week after Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to restore order and respect in schools.

In a speech he warned that parents must take responsibility for their child’s behaviour and that those whose children constantly play truant could see their benefits cut.

“This would be a tough measure – but we urgently need to restore order and respect in the classroom and I don’t want ideas like this to be off the table,” he said.

Ministers have announced plans to give teachers more powers to deal with poor discipline, such as searching pupils for items that disrupt the classroom, handing out no-notice detentions and allowing them to use force where necessary to restrain students.

But last night Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: “Behavioural problems often stem from very complex issues outside of the classroom and we believe that the use of corporal punishment, which some parents might see as a quick-fix solution, does not work.

“Teachers already have the power to use reasonable force with pupils if necessary, but unless the interpretation of what is reasonable force is made water-and clarified, teachers will continue to risk dismissal from school if they have to intervene to prevent a pupil getting seriously hurt.

“It is encouraging to see that parents recognise the efforts that teachers put in to their profession and appreciate how vital their role is.

“In fact ATL believes that building mutual respect between pupils and teachers, and encouraging the support of parents in tackling the issues behind poor behaviour, is more likely to lead to long-term positive change.”

TES editor Gerard Kelly said: “These results show that parents want today’s teachers to have more authority in the classroom.

“It’s not about making school life miserable but about showing children that sanctions will be enforced and that their actions will have consequences.”

As published in The Journal (Newcastle), 16 September 2011.

Picture credit: The Journal.

Traditional School Discipline

Traditionalschooldiscipline@gmail.com