CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5154, 20 July 1927, Page 4

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

USE DE STRAP IN SCHOOL.

COURSE FOLLOWED BY MASTER.

A very interesting report was placed before the Matamata Primary School Committee by the headmastei in justification of tliei punisnment administered to a child who had defied the authoiities and did not respond to kind and gentle treatment. The strap marked the boy, and the parents, who had evidently spoilt him witli indulgence, and were primarily responsible tor bis bad behaviour, made a great fuss, calling in a doctor and the police. The headmaster was not only aide to justify what he ilujd done, but received the congratulation of the school committee.. There are certain portions of the- headmaster’s report to the committee on the matter, which are well worthy of consideration by those schoolteachefs, too many of whom still exist, who think that repeated strappings are necessary for the training and education of the children entrusted to their care : ‘Of the hundred of cases of naughty or lazy children that have come before me here,” states the report, •‘this is the- third occasion on which I have used the strap at the primary school. Unless sudden action is called for 1 always give a child another chance in which to bring about his own reform. If 'he comes to me a second time- I confer with his teacher, and if 1 can find out any good points at all in his favour I give him yet another chance. Why do I do this ? Because I believe that self-discipline on the- part of the child, is far from desirable than corporal punishment. I have to admit, of course, that offenders do not seem to like coming to me, but then- it would be rather awkward for the sitaff if bhey did enjoy the experience. In case the wilfully incredulous may say 1 reserve my acts or atrocity for the Junior High School, I shall relate the following : The men who were engaged in painting the recent additions to the school stopped me in the passage one day and asked -me whether, the use- of the cane in the school was prohibited. I replied that all teachers used their own discretion in the matter. They expressed great surprise, and stated that although they had been in the school for, over two months they had never heard a cane used. They had not found such conditions prevailing in other schools they painted. Such tributes should surely give the lie to those few who take such fiendish delight in spread; ing false rumours. 1 candidly a.djnit that corporal punishment is used and must continue to bi? used on occa .lon’s, but I think the Matamata school compares more than favourably with other New Zealand schools.”