When I was at school in the 60's we were regularly beaten at school by both masters and prefects. If we had not bee we should have been completely out of control. It still goes on unofficially in France (especially inflicted by female teachers). But not, of course in the Uk where kids are totally out of control in schools and teachers dare not touch them, even in affection. I see no harm in proper punishment, and know it kept us under control in the old days.

But! I expect the next stage in the politically correct agenda will be to accuse all those good old schoolmasters and mistress who laid hand on us in the old days of 'child abuse'. What has the uk come to?

Why would you have been out of control? When I was at school (60s - 70s) we were never beaten by anyone. We were not completely out of control. In fact, we were not out of control one tiny little bit.

There are many things wrong with the education system in the UK (and under the gormless little Gove, it stands to get much worse) but the absence of corporal punishment is not one of them. The cruel authoritarianism personified by the likes of 'thrasher' Andrew Mitchell is not a good way to form and enlighten inquisitive young minds. I say this having worked in schools with some of the most 'difficult' intakes in the country.

In short, what you say, and what you imply, are simply wrong-headed.

B_P.

Obviously you have worked in these political-correct schools and are indoctrinated in their 1960's philosophy. Some of us have more traditional ideas. Rather proves my point, I think! I have no idea who Andrew Mitchell is or was. He did not teach at my school! Difficult intakes! I could tell you a ting or two about those!

Odd that you are commenting on an aspect of UK culture, and yet have not heard of Mitchell. He exemplifies everything that is wrong with the authoritarian approach to life, and was recently exposed as an unpleasant, lying, conniving, bullying toad of the highest order. Just the sort of person you'd like to see in high office in government, eh? A true product of the system you yearn for.

As for politically correct - there was nothing particularly unusual about my own schooling - Grammar School in a small market town. As for the schools I worked in - politically correct? Too busy trying to get the job done, I'm afraid. And succeeding rather well, too. Without the sadism you espouse.

B_P

Are you a recruitment Sgt for the Army? Post it in the Take it Outside section and pop on a flak jacket.

Vanya, not sure of your thinking in starting this post; looks like a series of statements in order to foster responses that start a 'barney', or a 'bundle' as we used to say in my Smoke-based SecMod.
As to Mr Mitchell. I only met him professionally, as I used to with MPs across the board, but Sutton Coldfield was always blue and it was one of those constituencies we used to say if you put a blue rosette on a monkey it would get elected.
Bullying and violence at school. Yes, on both sides. First day at senior school was a dunking of head down toilet. Four teachers stood out for brutality. One taught religion and liked to hit you on the head with the blackboard duster - thrown; he was Wally Whale, then Winnie (female) science teacher who liked the good old fashioned cane; then three male teachers who opted for the black 'slipper' - a rubber soled pump for those with a memory - one liked to take a run up from across the classroom. And, there was always a slap across the back of the head.
Was I out of control, did it do me good, was I a model pupil. That would be telling and we all know what happens to sneaks, don't we!

There are some schools in the UK with some out of control kids, but corporal punishment is not the solution. It's not about political correctness, it's about humanity. We (in the West) have moved on surely. There are many other non-physical ways to punish.

So this thread is about discussing the shortcomings of the UK?

Actually, I think you were right with your first post - it's just a troll. Apologies for rising to it and giving it 'presence'. I blame sitting in an over-warm room. Lovely, but it reduces my critical faculties!

B_P

BP what do you dislike about Mr Gove? Most of his reforms are aimed at raising educational standards, and that can't be a bad thing?

And he has to do with France what? Im failing to see the relevance to this section other than sticking a spoon in a giving a stir.

The problem with politics is basically politics, politicians have a proven track record.

Oops sorry. Came to the forum from elsewhere.

Hi, I'm not sure why the OP posted such a thread on the France forum, but he/she isn't a troll. They gave me advice before I was supposed to be going to St Petersburg last month.
And I wish I were sitting in an over-warm room. Our stone house is difficult to heat!

I'm not sure what you are all driving at. I speak the truth: i was there in the 1960's - were you? What bothers me is the complete change of attitudes . How dare you call we a troll. Do you so accuse anyone you don't approve of? f I had posted this 40 years ago i would have been applauded. I challenge anyone to deny this fact. What has happened in 40 years?

Vanya - a true patriot from Russia, who used to be a true Brit!

Thanks for your kind comments.