Letters to the Editor

 

Thursday, 20th  October 2005

 

Teachers Need Legal Authority to Help Them Keep Discipline

 

SIR-

 

A whole generation of children have had their educational prospects damaged by low level indiscipline. The inability of successive Labour and Conservative Governments to give teachers the proper legal authority they need has cost children dear.

 

It is time a message was sent to pupils and parents who question teachers' authority at school. Parents cannot expect to override the teacher at school - that has to be part of the deal for receiving a state education. We need to have this written down, so teachers know the powers they have and are not afraid to use them.

 

Too many teachers have been challenged by parents for imposing legitimate and proportionate discipline on pupils. If we want to improve standards of behaviour in our schools then this has to stop. When teachers discipline pupils, the law must back them up.

ENDS

 

  Stephanie Dearden

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting

 

Notes to editors

 

1. If you would like to arrange an interview with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting Stephanie Dearden then please call 020-7771-2551 or 07985-649807 or 07754 583090
2. Official photographs here http://www.stephaniedearden.org/smd_mugs/index.htm