Gregory Robinson
A school in a rural town in Missouri has decided to bring back spanking students with a paddle if they misbehave. Watch the video below:
Corporal punishment is still legal in 19 states including Missouri, where parents, local officials and teachers met to discuss how to discipline naughty pupils.
According to the Springfield News-Leader newspaper, the district confirmed the policy in June and said: “It shall be used only when all other alternative means of discipline have failed.”
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Merlyn Johnson, superintendent of the Cassville school district, said spanking is back by popular demand from the parents.
“Parents have said ‘why can’t you paddle my student?’” he revealed to the publication. “There had been requests from parents for us to look into it.”
The policy was outlined in a memo for parents – who support the decision - confirming that the punishment would only be performed by 'certified personal and in the presence of a witness who is also an employee of the district'.
The memo also said: “It shall be administered so that there can be no chance of bodily injury or harm. Striking a student on the head or face is not permitted.”
This Morning presenters Vernon Kay and Rochelle Humes discussed the shocking story during Tuesday’s (30 August) show.
LBC presenter Nick Ferrari also gave his take on the parents agreeing to allow the school to spank their children.
After Vernon called the reinstatement of corporal punishment in the school ‘outrageous’, Nick explained: “We obviously have a school that has some challenges. Now, if it is thought that a gentle tap on the hand or something might help, we must at least listen to the parents of the children.
“If the school had just introduced this off its own back I could absolutely have no support. If the parents want it, it at least has to be discussed, surely.”
Rochelle added: “It feels archaic, doesn’t it? It feels like a massive step backwards in time.”
Corporal punishment was once legal in UK schools however it was prohibited in all state-supported schools in 1986. This was extended to cover private schools in England and Wales in 1998, Scotland followed in 2000 and Northern Ireland in 2003.
Vernon went on to share his own memories from school when he was smacked with a ruler on the hand.
He said: “I remember getting the ruler and I think the pain still stays with me. They used to make you arch your hand… and they used to whack.”
When asked if the painful punishment stopped him from being naughty, the television and radio presenter quipped: “Absolutely not”.
This Morning continues weekday mornings at 10am on ITV.