I agree. We need the cane back. If my child behaved rudely and disrespectfully at school, I would welcome him receiving the cane. At home, he understands that rude, disrespectful behaviour warrants similar punishment. He also feels secure in the love he gets at home and is a brilliant kid for it.

Nina, Reading, England

The government and the public wonder why there is so much violence on the streets and lack of discipline in general in our time , the reason is they have no respect for Authority today be it parents, teachers or the police, we as a nation are too soft with the young, the cane or a slap works well.

Bob, London, Uk

It is attitude like yours Nancy that is the root cause of the lack of respect and discipline in a lot of children today, it never did me or many of my generation any harm to recieve the cane or a clip round the ear if we stepped out of line, we sure didn't do it again, but today they just laugh!!!

Bob, London, Uk

Why is the rate is so much lower with principals than teachers? Easy, they are not in the classroom dealing with the disruption that goes on everyday due to a few unruly students. They are hidden away in offices pretending there is no problem.

F Duggan, Galway, Ireland

Hi Nancy....as you said MUTUAL respect....there isn't any from some students and parents...come over and see! Mind you the National Curriculum doesn't help with the 'foi grasse' (stuff it down their throats) approach.

chris, Bagshot, UK

What a horrible idea and how dare people write in supporting it! To even imagine that children should be assaulted and humiliated! Rearing and educating children in an environment of mutual respect will always achieve more. How very sad that people would think otherwise...

Nancy, Toronto, Canada

If the unruly pupil is physically chastised in a class their pride would suffer more than anything else. If it doesn't work on an individual then another discipline option should be used. If disruption is reduced in schools as a result then there would be an advantage.

Steve Jones, Birmingham, UK

I know that the Conservatives want to help squaddies follow a career in teaching. If we bring back corporal punishment we might attract to the teaching profession professionals who can give what it takes.

Des, Edinburgh,

It worked for at least several millenia and its abolition in the UK was gross hubris.

t j murphy (mr), kings lynn, england

I am not in opposition to corporal punishment in principal but i believe that the cane won't be avoided because of teachers fear of parental anger due to the cane. I believe that pupils who are extremely disruptive will not be caned, excuses will be made for them. Only good pupils will end up beaten

Owen Skeltom, Llantrisant, UK

Britons don't want sharia because of extremely harsh punishment, yet seek re-introduction of caning. How absurd.

John, Detroit, USA

Government tinkering in education produces a pendulum that is always swinging wildly from one extreme new idea to another. These findings are a predictable result of too much disciplinary power being taken away from teachers. It won't be long before 1/3 and then 1/2 will be in favour. Interesting.

Alba, Southampton,

Kids need consequences for actions...words just go in one ear and out of the other.
The fear induced by being set before the headmaster for the cane, remains for far longer more than words do, subsequently they think twice the next time they consider a replication of the previous misbehaviour.

Arthur, London, UK

I agree with Simon, I was caned just once in 12 years of school, the first time taught me well, I never misbehaved again.

Bring back the sore backside and kids will be easier to deal with!

Donovan, Reading, UK

the cane is not violence, it is public humiliation and a short sharp pain on the ass. it should never have been banned. When it was announced it was going to be banned, everyone knew the system was going goto hell... it did.
I got canned in primary school, it didnt scar my psyche, just a sore ass!

simon, norwich, uk