New Powers for teachers come into force today in the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

This specifically allows:

1. Teachers to use force in a range of circumstances
2. Teachers to punish children with detentions on Saturday and Sunday
3. Teachers to punish children (up to 18) for how they behave outside school

See Sections 90 - 93 of the Act.

i) The circumstances in which force can be used are wide-ranging. They include to prevent an 'offence' being committed. I am not clear if this means a legal offence or simply anything which could be construed as an offence e.g. talking out of turn? In any event the third item when force can be used (the second is to prevent damage to property or person) is when the 'good order' of the school is prejudiced. This would appear to give teachers carte blanche to use force in any event, since more or less anything except total compliance could be defended in court as being likely to prejudice the 'good order' of the school.

It seems to me that there is a danger here. If teachers are allowed (encouraged?) to use 'force' in circumstances like children answering back and refusing to leave the classroom what kind of 'force' will be used? The leglislation in no way specified the kind of force permissable. It is reminiscent of the leglislation which allowed the police to take home under 16s out at night in dispersal zones which was shot down by the High Court; it has the same general, unspecified, anything goes because they are children attitude. Do teachers receive training in the use of force? I doubt it. If this power is taken up by teachers are we going to see teachers dragging children by their hair, slapping their faces, attempting arm-locks? It seems only a matter of time before serious injury occurs.

The whole current of this leglislation is permeated with a spirit of violence. Basically compliance will be secured by force. What an appalling example to set children. What a wholly negative view of education. It creates a kind of violent battlefield in the classroom; I can't believe that teachers welcome this leglislation. It undermines their authority rather than enhancing it.

ii) What a mean spirited piece of leglisaltion. And; what does it say about our politicians that they concern themsleves with school detention?

iii) Part of the disciplinary society. New Labour's passion (a cold one) for giving more power to unelected officials while bypassing the judiciary, juries, and parliament. Less and less freedom.

Links


Office of Public Sector Information 2006 Education and Inspections Act