Bring back the cane in schools, say one in five teachers

[Extremist]

One in five teachers would like to see the cane brought back in schools to help discipline unruly children, a survey has revealed.

They would back the return of corporal punishment because they have had enough of deteriorating pupil behaviour.

The research comes amid rising concern about poorly behaved children who routinely flout authority both in school and out.

The Times Educational Supplement (TES) survey of 6,162 teachers found that overall, 20.3 per cent backed 'the right to use corporal punishment in extreme cases'.

Support was strongest among secondary school teachers, with 22 per cent backing the idea compared to 16 per cent of primary school teachers.

But only 12 per cent of heads and deputy and assistant heads agreed with its return.

Supply teacher Judith Cookson told the TES that she 'strongly' supported the return of corporal punishment.

She said: 'There are too many anger management people and their ilk who give children the idea that it is their right to flounce out of lessons for time out because they have problems with their temper.
'They should be caned instead.'

And primary teacher Ravi Kasinathan said: 'There is justification, or an argument, for bringing back corporal punishment, if only as a deterrent. I believe some children just don't respond to the current sanctions.'

But John Dunford, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: 'Thankfully, corporal punishment is no longer on the agenda, except in the most uncivilised countries.

'I am sure that this barbaric punishment has disappeared forever.'

Corporal punishment was banned in state schools in 1986 but remained legal in independent schools until 1998.

A survey, carried out by FDS International for the Times Educational Supplement in 2000, showed that 51 per cent of parents favoured the return of the cane, with 47 per cent against.

Almost a quarter of the 1,000 parents polled thought disruptive and badly behaved children were among the biggest problems in Britain's schools.

And in July 2004, Barry Matthews, then chairman of the Professional Association of Teachers, claimed that corporal punishment was an effective way of disciplining children.

He told the PAT annual conference in Bournemouth: 'As a child I knew there were certain actions that could reap unfavourable returns.

'I did not enjoy having the cane or having to stay in after school any more than the next person, but I knew that if I stepped out of line I could be subjected to some kind of punishment.'

Responding to the latest TES survey, a Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said yesterday: 'Violence against children is clearly unacceptable and illegal.'