I AGREE with J. R. Burland (Debate, April 28) that children with behavioural difficulties should be given a reward system to encourage them to stick to classroom rules. This works very well in an environment where everybody has similar problems. In mainstream schools, however, rewarding “naughty” pupils for behaving in a way which is expected as normal for the rest of the class can be perceived as grossly unfair; it may even encourage bad behaviour in some other children and thus exacerbate the problem.

Perhaps a well-led brat camp in every county for the use of schools would be the answer.

Anneliese Sprague, Hawkhurst, Kent

Help not punishment

TO REDUCE violence more care needs to be put into emotional development, which largely takes place before children reach the age of 5. Schools need to educate instead of just teaching. There is a big difference. Education policy is usually written on the assumption that pupils are backed by caring, stable parents. There is little allowance for problem families.

As a special-needs school governor and a prison psychologist and therapist I realise that almost all people in trouble have dreadful home lives and are acting out what they have experienced as young children. There is nowhere in the system where parenting skills can be learnt, or where vulnerable and disruptive children can be automatically helped rather than punished. The criminal justice system is not the answer.

Elizabeth Noyes, Evesham

Just ask

I HELP out in a primary school and see a lot of children with behaviour problems. One thing that stands out is that many are simply bored with the lessons.

The curriculum seems to be primarily designed for people who are academic, and not every child falls into this category. Why don’t the education authorities conduct a survey about what interests children have? Perhaps if they respected those opinions, they might be able to develop children to their full potential.

Denise Kerr, Belfast

Six of the best

I AM studying at a grammar school in Tonbridge, and our teachers are constantly saying that our behaviour is well above what they expect at most comprehensive schools. I think that this is most worrying because our behaviour is not always the best, to put it mildly.