A fifth of Brit teachers 'want canes back in schools'

London, Oct 3 : Teachers in Britain, it seems, believe strongly in the saying 'spare the rod and spoil the child', for according to a new survey one in five educators of the country wants the cane brought back in schools.

The survey of 6,200 teachers by the Times Educational Supplement found that a fifth supported the right to use corporal punishment in extreme cases.

The poll revealed that 22 percent secondary teachers demand the revival of corporal punishment and 16 percent of the primary teachers demand it.

"Children's behaviour is absolutely outrageous in the majority of schools. I am a supply teacher, so I see many schools, and there are no sanctions. There are too many anger management people and their ilk who give children the idea that it is their right to flounce out of lessons for time out because they have problems with their temper. They should be caned instead," The Sun quoted Judith Cookson, a supply teacher, as saying.

On the other, hand just 12 percent of heads, deputies and assistants have backed the idea, according to the Times Educational Supplement survey.

"Thankfully, corporal punishment is no longer on the agenda, except in the most uncivilised countries. I am sure that this barbaric punishment has disappeared for ever," John Dunford, of the Association of School and College Leaders, said.

"Violence against children is clearly unacceptable and illegal," an official at the Department for Children, Schools and Families added.

ANI