Physical 'discipline' okay

"Parents back slap-happy teachers" (May 30) refers. Corporal punishment at schools should be the responsibility of the child's parent or guardian.

The teacher and principal must have the authority to expel any student who will not comply with the school's disciplinary rules. Is it not abuse towards teachers when students do not have respect for them? There should be a law protecting good teachers.

GM Short, by SMS

I volunteer at a primary school with one teacher for 116 Grade 1 pupils, and the principal teaches 133 Grade 2 kids on her own. The Department of Education does nothing to assist teachers because it steps on eggshells around Sadtu. Corporal punishment is not abuse, however we don't slap, kick or swear at kids. Children everywhere need discipline. Volunteer, by SMS

Corporal punishment is a form of forced military-style physical activity for an unacceptable amount of time, in all weather conditions, meted out to a soldier for transgressions of military law, misconduct and disrespect unbecoming of his station. Certainly not what should be happening in schools.

There are South African men and women who served in the army during the 1970s and 1980s who would be familiar with this experience, or witnessed this type of punishment. A punishment that takes you to places mentally and physically that you would not think yourself capable of. It ensures discipline, whether you think it unfair or not. Designed to keep you in line and correct your attitude. However, it probably amounts to violation of personal rights.

What is going on in some schools today is physical violence, perpetuated because of all kinds of frustration. A teacher hitting a child so hard that he or she falls to the floor is unacceptable.

The principal cannot always be held accountable for a loose cannon or a gung-ho attitude from a child wielding a knife. The principal is responsible for the running of the school, and if a platform of power games and inflated egos is allowed to manifest, you will have this outcome.

Children are allowed too many choices and options within the school context in terms of how things are done, what is expected of them and what the rules are. Correct boundaries create an environment of respect. There is nothing wrong with discipline, and there are many ways to do it without instilling fear.

Teachers need to remember why they became teachers - to engage with pupils and create a school environment of excited learning and positive interaction, no matter what.

Sandra Zach, by e-mail