READERS of a certain age may well remember wooden blackboard rubbers hurtling across classrooms towards the heads of particularly unruly pupils.
Few people would want to see a return to the days when teachers were free to use brute force and intimidation to control the youngsters in their care.
But there is no doubt that physical force is justified in some circumstances.
The rules are fuzzy, however, and teachers are reluctant to lay a hand on children lest a complaint is made and they find themselves facing disciplinary charges.
Education Secretary Alan Johnson is right to clarify the situation with new rules that give teachers the power to physically restrain unruly pupils and remove them from classrooms.
From now on, they will be able to "detain, restrain, confiscate and punish" troublesome youngsters.
This is a sensible step forward.
If rowdy youngsters are to grow into reasonable adults, they need to realise that their are restraints on their behaviour.
It is wrong that they should be allowed to disrupt the education of fellow pupils and make the working lives of their teachers a misery.
Mr Johnson's new rules are common sense.
Comments (1)
At least there is one bit of sanity in the department. I am one that was educated in the old way. Heaven help the world in the next generation.
It seems the motto with most kids now. See it destroy it. And I want I get.
Posted by marilyn 123 | April 6, 2007 1:18 AM
Posted on April 6, 2007 01:18