Richard, uk

Anyone working with children nowadays has no power of discipline over the children whatsoever, thanks to "politically-correct" do-gooders, and parents failing in their responsibility to instill discipline into their children from birth! I abhor child abuse, but a "clip around the ear" never did me any harm!

Rob, England

So - a child can disrupt lessons and the teacher can do nothing. The child can be verbally aggressive and the teacher can do nothing. The child can be physically aggressive if not violent, and the teacher can do nothing. If the teacher attempts to prevent the little darling "expressing itself" all hell breaks loose. If the child makes an allegation, even if it has no basis whatsoever in fact, the teacher is suspended and faces one inquiry after another. When finally found innocent the teacher's name has been dragged through the mud and the child isn't even named. That sounds fair, given the standards of this Government.

John b, uk

Teachers are in an impossible position of being expected to discipline other people's children without either upsetting the children or being seen to threaten the position of authority parents like to believe they occupy in the minds of their offspring (even though many prove unwilling or incapable of living up to this image). Marjorie Evans, like many many other teachers, has been the victim of a witch-hunt. Teachers' careers, reputations and lives should not be held in the balance by the petty machinations and resentments of those whose shortcomings they are expected to compensate for.

Unfortunately, because of this country's warped and bitter attitude to the teaching profession, this is precisely what is happening in schools of all sizes across the country, and particularly in primary schools and in small "neighbourhood" communities.

Beth, uk

Children's complaints should be taken seriously but let’s have enquiries carried out in private. The big problem we have now is that teachers endure 'trial by media' and are usually branded guilty by just an accusation.

Helen, uk

Somehow our common sense is not playing an expected role in our society. The legal battle was unnecessary; it actually disgraced itself by revealing its weakness and ineffective system clearly.

Y, UK

Bring back the cane! I am saying this as a number of teenagers and young adults don't want to go into teaching. It is not just the low salaries, but most of us had classes with one or two characters that spoil the rest of the class. When I was in year 8, the whole of my form was put onto class detention for a week due to one immature little boy. Detentions don't punish the ones in trouble nor does excluding them as I see them going to town etc. Teachers should be exempted from smacking laws.

Helen, UK

They said corporal punishment was too extreme for disciplining naughty children, so they banned it - fair enough. They then said that physical contact with naughty children should be banned, like flicking them around the ear etc, so they did that too. Now, they say shouting and raising your voice is too extreme for disciplining naughty children. Is this pushing the boat out a little too far? I think so. I mean, what are they going to say next? Perhaps they will ban direct communication between the child and teacher altogether. Maybe the teacher will just appear on a big TV screen in front of them offering the children no interaction whatsoever.

Jeff, UK

/from “The Professional”

December 24, 2003/