PETER Johnston (April 9) criticises Mr J O’Connnor for talking about corporal punishment and refers to beating, favourite rhetoric used by left wing dogooders who refuse to accept that there is a big difference between moderate hitting and beating.

His example of the female colleague going out with a sixth former does nothing to support his argument because that is unacceptable. The teacher may have been a brilliant communicator but a good teacher should have put a stop to that.

He then refers to a friend’s bright grandson who was bored at school, repeatedly in trouble and excluded, who then gained a degree.

The boy’s problem years were caused because Labour removed all disciplinary tools from teachers.

Neither of these examples proves his point but simply demonstrates the failure of the comprehensive system. developed West European economies educate their children without a reign of terror (more inflammatory left wing terminology).

Perhaps it is because parents in those countries value family life more and impose better restrictions on their children so that they behave themselves at school.

In this country, many parents allow children to have and do what they want without any regard for anyone else so it is not surprising that they are unruly and illiterate.

Children and teenagers need boundaries which is an alien concept to left wing do-gooders.

Mr Johnston is typical of those whose ideas have helped to create problems but then have no solutions to offer.

R Swindells Bolto