The Editor, Sir:

The Jamaica Teachers' Association's outgoing president, Ruel Reid, is right in saying that corporal punishment of children is an outdated approach to raising and educating children. We believe that slavery is an outdated method of obtaining free and cheap labour and so, too, beating children into submission is not without its consequences to society.

I am still somewhat puzzled as to the age limitation granted by the Jamaican Government for the use of corporal punishment. A student who enjoys freedom from the whip at the age of 11 may very well be the recipient of the punishment at the age of 12. Does this make sense?

Corporal punishment randomly affects people in the same way that cancer strikes some people and not others, yet no physician recommends that people continue doing the same things that are known to cause cancer.

Alternative schools

If indiscipline continues at the rate it is going in our schools, then alternative schools should be built to rehabilitate students who are deviants. Such students who are known to engage in fighting, having sex in public view, using indecent language, assaulting teachers and exhibiting insubordination have no right to enjoy the privileges that other students are studiously and respectfully enjoying. Some slight misbehaviours can be seen as the normal process of growing up, but other children should be removed to an environment where their particular behaviour and problems can be addressed by specifically trained people.

A great burden is placed on teachers when they are also required to act as psychologist, psychiatrist, or behaviour modification specialist.

Hitting students, whether they are three to 11 or 12-17 years of age, carries risks for future bad behaviour. Alternative strategies of motivation and discipline are desperately needed.

I am, etc.,

A.M. TONSINGH ANSARI

stop1998@aol.com

Via Go-Jamaica