STRAP OR NO STRAP?

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14131, 10 February 1910, Page 2

STRAP OR NO STRAP?

A QUESTION OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. proposal for abolition. To strap or not to strap?’ That wal a question that occupied the New Ply* mouth High School Board for a considerable portion of a lengthy meeting late yesterday afternoon. The discussion was what oho of the speakers termed an abstract one, for it was not prompted by any recent use of strap or cane in the , High School. As* a matter of fact, iho strap has not been in use in tho New Plymouth High School for two years past. , ' Tho matter was brought forward by the chairman of the board, Mr. M. Fraser, who, in accordance with a notice of motion previously given, moved that the use of the strap or other corporal punishment in the school be discontinued, and that the Principal be requested to-arrange a code of punishment moro in accordance with the modern system of education. Mr. Fraser said that although some members of the board might think the matter wal a fad with him, it was not so. Hi took it that a High School was not like an ordinary Government school, to which children of all ages were admitted. A High School was composed of boys and girls nearly all of whom were of the age of 13 or 14 and upwards. The pupils were on the borderland of manhood or womanhood, and were at an acutely sensitive age. If there were cases—lie did not suppose such cases did exist here—-in which the use of the strap was necessary such boys should not be in the school. It was not fair to parents who sent well-, behaved boys and girls to the school that their children should have to mix with those who heeded the strap. The lash should not be used on the respectable children, when a little kindness would bo the proper treatment. _ The speaker had been in communication, with teachers throughout the dominion. Their opinions, which were against corporal punishment, Mr. Fraser read to the board. He also read extracts from an article written by one of America’s educationalists, who absolutely condemned corporal punishment. Among other opinions, this educationalist considered that corporal punishment was the 1 cause of the antagonism which unhappily existed between tho teacher and the taught, and that no education was of any'value that could nqtbo obtained 'without,; corporal punishments Air. Fraser pointed out that even in conservative Scotland the strap, was not known in the high schools nowadays. But we colonials, who considered urn L.J the world in many things, were still bound to the old system. The members of the board should, decide to abolish the strap, and-then go up to the school and point out to the children that they (the children) : had more responsibility thrown on them, and that they held .the good name of the school in their hands. If after that the board found that tho now system did not succeed either one of two things would happen—the hoard would go baok to the strap or get a man who could keep discipline without a: .strap. , Mr. J. E. AA’ilson remarked that ho thought he was. tho only member of tho board who had been taught at tho New Plymouth High School. Some of tho pupils who were there in his time deserved the strap and got .it, . To-day better citizens could not bo 1 found. It was no degradatiou_to.be strapped. _ Mr. E’. Dockrill considered that it. a matter of this sort a great deal depended on the boy and a great deal on the master. He spoke of a school in Ireland, which had a master who was fond of flogging his pupils. This master turned out fine scholars. He was followed by a master who did not use the strap or, cane. This master got just as good results educationally, and turned out better boya. Air. AA T ilson agreed that inordinate use of the strap should not be encouraged, but the principal of a school should not have his hands tied. Air. S. Percy Smith thought with Sir. Wilson that a master should have the power in- abeyance of rising the strap. . The matter must be'left to the discretion of a master. If a master could not do without much use of the strap he should not be in his position. • Air. N. K. M'Diarmid also thought that the power of using the strap, if necessary, should be in tho master’! hands. He pointed out that for twi years past the strap had not been used in the New Plymouth High School, although it was ther.e in case of nece» Slt Mr. Dockrill suggested that the board could pass a resolution expressing its gratification that the. strap had not been used in this school: for , the past two years, and hoping that no necessity for its use would arise in the future. - • . Mr. Fraser replied that that was not the point. He wanted to test whether the pupils could be disciplined without the knowledge that the strap was there in reserve. He could not see why the board should not give it a trial. Unless a man put confidence in anv person he worked with that person would always be his enemy rather than his friend, and so it was with teacher and pupil. People did not appreciate the peculiar tenderness of boys and girls of the ages he had mentioned, or they would never allow the strap to be used. He did not think the board would endanger either the school or the efficacy of the teaching if it took away the strap for a time. It was then discovered that Mr. Fraser’s motion had not been seconded. Mr. Dockrill said he would second it pro forma, but would prefer the principal of the school to agree with it. Air. M'Diarmid said the board sympathised with Air. Fraser, whose kindheartedness had made him bring the matter forward, but did not quite agree with him. The ruling by love alone business was not successful in school. Mr. M'Diarmid instanced a case in which a teacher who had tried to carry on discipline by this method, but had found it to fail utterly* while her health was spoiled by it. air. Fraser would not admit that it was merely kindheartedness that had made him bring the matter up. He did not believe in any sickly sentimental sort of thing ,in governing by love only, or moral suasion, but in tolling a boy he was growing up to be a man and in calling upon him to act like a man. air. Fraser wished to make it clear that what he had said did not apply merely to the New Plymouth High School, but to all High Schools. By this time tho discussion had become very desultory, and the clock lied dragged on until 6.15 p.m. Then, the board not considering the matter very urgent, “deferred it for further consideration,” a procedure which, from the tone of the meeting, was practically equivalent to_ the Parliamentary method of deciding that a bill “he read six months hence.”