Hitting children is never the answer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One slap, against a boy who had pushed, punched and butted her - and a head teacher with an unblemished record of 35 years receives a three-month suspended jail sentence. On the face of it, a momentary, understandable lapse in the face of huge provocation, which has led to a grossly unfair outcome. Like Tony Martin before her, Marjorie Evans seems to have become a folk hero to the right-wing press. In their eyes, both have been unfairly convicted by a politically correct legal system for doing what was justifiable. O tempora! O mores!
One slap, against a boy who had pushed, punched and butted her - and a head teacher with an unblemished record of 35 years receives a three-month suspended jail sentence. On the face of it, a momentary, understandable lapse in the face of huge provocation, which has led to a grossly unfair outcome. Like Tony Martin before her, Marjorie Evans seems to have become a folk hero to the right-wing press. In their eyes, both have been unfairly convicted by a politically correct legal system for doing what was justifiable. O tempora! O mores!
But was it such a disaster? Marjorie Evans has been supported by colleagues, governors and her union. It seems unlikely that she will lose her job. Head teachers have to deal every day with disruptive, even violent pupils. Whereas a few decades ago, reciprocal violence was considered the acceptable response to such behaviour, it rightly is no longer. If exceptions are made to this rule, the distinction between teacher and bully become blurred.
Repulsively, many children suffer violence from adults at home. To them, teachers should be role models, practising methods of diffusing conflict without resorting to violence. In whom are abused children to confide if teachers are seen as violent too? The Government's confusing signals about exclusions have not helped teachers to deal with difficult pupils. David Blunkett should clarify his position on how schools should deal with disruptive pupils, who can wreck a school's ability to function. But that cannot excuse teachers from taking the law into their own hands. Ever.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments