Reply #14: Well, yes, but ....

[non sociopath skin]

Since the original thread was about cost cutting I still feel that my points about reducing teacher wastage and absenteeism are valid, but the question of how to implement discipline is a difficult one. Obviously we can't go back to beating small boys for smoking, but the Utilitarian in me says that expelling the worst trouble makers would be better for the majority.

... that's not really "implementing discipline" is it?

What are you then going to do with those "worst trouble makers"? Put them under house arrest? Pay the folks (or someone else) to stay home with them? Give them individual tutors?(that won't save costs!)? Community service? Let them roam the streets?

And then when they're grown up and unemployable ....?

Besides which, in my experience, the worst trouble makers are often the ones who've been dealt the shittiest hand in the first place. Are we going to punish them for that ...? And is schooling a right - or a privilege to be earned with good behaviour?

As I say, I haven't got any answers: in fact, after almost forty years working with young people, their parents and their teachers, I'm still not sure what the question is ...

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Have a nice day.

The Skin