I was browsing the news sites this morning, when this article in the Courier Mail jumped out at me. I'm so upset by this, I'm not even sure where to start.
Teachers given cane go-ahead at Bundaberg Christian College
By Ainsley Pavey
March 29, 2009 12:00am
THE cane is still being wielded at some Queensland schools where parents sign legal waivers to give teachers the power to hit their children.
The corporal punishment option is offered at some of the state's fastest-growing independent schools as part of their strict behaviour management strategies. Religious beliefs are used to justify discipline at some schools.
With more than 55,000 suspensions handed out at state schools last financial year - a jump of more than 20 per cent in two years - Independent Schools Queensland has reported growing support for private schools catering for the "disengaged and at-risk" school sector.
Bundaberg Christian College principal Mark Bensley said corporal punishment had become a drawcard for some parents because of a "lack of boundaries" at other schools.
"A growing number of parents come to our school and say the school got their attention because it uses the paddle," Mr Bensley said.
"If they choose to not sign it (the waiver), they are not refused enrolment. But a very significant majority of parents sign because they like that we understand the need for boundaries, fairness and consistency."
Mr Bensley said the plastic paddle - shaped like a table-tennis bat - was a "last resort" when suspensions, detentions and warnings had failed.
The school, which has 600 students in Prep to Year 12, gave the paddle 10 times last year and seven times in 2007, he said.
"I would never use the paddle unless we have spoken to both parents and have their blessing for it to be used," Mr Bensley said.
"It is always administered in a loving way. In fact, we pray with them afterwards."
Corporal punishment was banned in state schools in 1995 by a decision of Cabinet but was not written into law. Parents, teachers or guardians are allowed to use "reasonable force" in disciplining children.
The 109-year-old law was applied in a case involving a Gold Coast high school teacher last year who was acquitted on an assault charge after he admitted slapping a Year 8 student.
But State Attorney-General Cameron Dick warned that Section 208 of the law that relates to the matter was "by no means a carte blanche authority for teachers to use physical force to manage students".
Colin Krueger, principal of Mueller College at Rothwell on Brisbane's northern outskirts, said the school used the cane at the request of parents.
Parents are asked to sign a consent form as part of enrolment which gives teachers the power to use "firm but fair" discipline "administered in a spirit of love according to Proverbs 13.24, 22:6 and 22:15", which promote the "rod of discipline" to "correct the foolishness raging in every child".
Mr Krueger, principal of the school for 19 years, said using the cane on a child "depended on the circumstances".
"If kids are persistent and we have tried every other avenue, it will be administered if parents request it. We haven't used it for a couple of years," he said.
"I've had many kids come back to me and say 'Thank you for giving me the cane'."
After the interview with Mr Krueger, the school's board of directors contacted The Sunday Mail and said the cane had been banned at the school because of "negative publicity" but declined to say when the decision had been made.
Caloundra Christian College also has a strict disciplinary policy. What the school calls "corporal correction" is followed by a time of "restoration and prayer".
ISQ acting executive director David Robertson said behaviour management policies were a matter for schools.
"Discipline policies are developed by schools in consultation with their parent communities," he said.
Several parents of students at Mueller College told The Sunday Mail they supported the school's discipline policy.
"The school does do a good job. Problems are quickly sorted out," parent Julie Wilden said. "We had it (the cane) when we were kids at school and it never hurt us."
Spokesmen for Catholic Education and Brisbane Anglican Schools said corporal punishment was banned at their schools.
I'm stunned. Is it just me? The thought of anyone laying a hand on my sons, let alone an object literally makes me feel panic. It fills me with such outrage, and I simply can't fathom any parent actively seeking this out.
What do you think? Am I too soft? Do you think there is cause to bring back corporal punishment in schools? Do you think that the lack thereof has been the cause of the (because there is little denying it) downwood spiral in the behaviour of school students?
I think what gets me most is the whole "It's done in a loving way. We even pray afterwards" crap that they spout. Now I'm religious. I believe in God and the Bible. I know the scriptures from which they take their 'justification'. And while I"m not adamantly opposed to a parent smacking a child (we have used it on ours when they have done something dangerous, especially when they are too young to 'reason' with). But to link this behaviour to God, to religion? To me, this is despicable, and the worst kind of hypocracy.
What do you think? Would you seek out a school that uses corporal punishment? Would you object if they tried to introduce it? What would convince you to sign the waivers?
