Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1917. UNRULY GIRLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1739, 11 October 1917, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1917. UNRULY GIRLS.

MEMBERS of the Canterbury Education Board last week discussed the question of corporal punishment of girls, and divided opinions Avere expressed. The subject has also been engaging the attention of the Teachers’ Institute, which urged u modification of the Board’s regulations with regard to corpora! punishment. -A committee of the Board, set up to consider the Institute’s plea, reported as follows: —“That Regulation No. 3 should be altered so as to peacl: ‘While not prohibiting corporal punishment, the Board enjoins teachers to have recourse to it 'sparingly and with due deliberation, Striking a child on the head under any circumstances 'and in any manner is strictly prohibited. Neither cane nor stick shall be used to inllict punishment in any of the Canterbury schools. Corporal punishment of girls over 12 years of age is prohibited and also under that age except for gross misconduct or serious breach of discipline, and on no account shall corporal punishment be indicted upon children for failure m .-school work through natural incapacity. Its frequent infliction is always to be accounted an indication of defective discipline . In all schools of Grade 3B and upwards corporal punishment of girls shall he administered by female teachers only. The use of an unnecessarily heavy strap will be regarded as a breach of the regulations. A violation of these, rules will render the offending teacher liable to dismissal.” Members were somewhat divided in their opinions, some contending' that discipline must bo maintained by mean.-- .of corporal punishment if necessary, hut'with discretion in any ease, while others were not in favour of girls being so dealt with at all. Eventually it was decided to delep,- the words in the report “over twelve years of agt,” “and also under that age,” tire etT ’ feet of the decision being that no girls should receive corporal pun-

ishment except ■■ m eases of gross misconduct or serious breaches of discipline. A further amendment was also passed that headmasters as well as female teachers be permitted to administer corporal punishment in schools of Grade 38. After further discussion, in which various amendments wore suggested, defeated or withdrawn, notice was given to move that the whole matter be referred back to the Appointments Committe for consideration, with the amendments decided on. .