Sir, Nicola Woolcock states that the cane has gone, “much to the relief of pupils and most of their parents” (report, Oct 3). Really? To my knowledge no national surveys on the subject were ever taken before or after the abolition of corporal punishment as to the views of parents or pupils. A “liberal” approach to school discipline was imposed without due consultation or any trial periods.

One of the unintended, but predictable, consequences of abolition is the huge numbers of semi-literate truants roaming our streets every day. Many, not all, might have taken a different path had they been faced with the prospect of “six of the best” from a teacher who knew the true meaning of the phrase “cruel to be kind”. As it is many of them are destined for innumerable court appearances and eventual custodial sentences.

The abolition of the cane, as a last resort, has proved to be disastrous for classroom discipline and equally disastrous for a society now held to ransom by a generation of youngsters who have no fear of the lawmaker.

Tony North

School Governor, Brixham, Devon

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