Caning likely to end in British Catholic schools

Press, 12 July 1984, Page 9

Caning likely to end in British Catholic schools

NZPA-AAP London A recommendation by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Basil Hume, is likely to end caning in the 2492 Catholic Schools in England and Wales, the “Daily Mail” reports. The Archbishop is asking the 225 State-maintained schools in his own diocese to stop corporal punishment as soon as possible, and his request is expected to have a widespread following in the rest of Britain. A statement from the Westminster Council for Diocesan Affairs says that the use of corporal punishment in Westminster has declined greatly in recent years, but “while welcoming this trend, the diocese nevertheless feels that the time has come for a more decisive response.” What was once almost universally acknowledged as a suitable form of. pun-

ishment was “now no longer regarded as acceptable,” the statement said. The policy reflects the European Court of Justice view that caning is degrading. It could cause some embarrassment for the British Government, which plans to introduce new legislation on caning. This will stop short of abolishing corporal punishment, leaving local education authorities to decide whether they retain the cane or not. To accommodate the European Court ruling, parents will have the right to insist their children are not caned. Critics from all parts of the educational system have opposed the Government’s proposal. The Government is reluctant to . abolish caning, because teachers will then demand that extra resources are provided in school tp deal with pupils.