Teachers can’t be lion-tamers

I VERY much endorse Bill Brown’s analysis of the source of strife in our classrooms (Letters, May 17). Were I a teacher, my first question of the day to the class would be “Who wants to learn?” and anyone who didn’t or was troublesome I would send home.

My solution may sound simplistic to those without grey hair but that’s basically how it used to work, you behaved or you got the belt and if you told your parents you got the belt they wouldn’t scurry away to the school to complain but would give you more of the same. “Spare the rod and spoil the child” had its merits.

Having been one, albeit in the dim and distant past and also having been a parent, I know that children are little animals who need to learn what the rules are and to obey them. If they are disruptive in class not only is it to their personal disadvantage but it has an adverse effect on all those who want to learn. Teachers are there to teach, they are not lion-tamers. The teacher should not have to solve a problem that should be dealt with by the parents or if necessary by the police and social services. The needs of the majority trump those of the individual. Behave or get out. David J Crawford,

Glasgow.

BILL Brown is correct to apportion some blame for the indiscipline crisis in Scottish schools to weak and indulgent parenting.

However, the antidote to weak and indulgent parenting is not weak and indulgent schooling. Richard Lucas, Leader, Scottish Family Party,

Glasgow.