What disciplinary sanctions should teachers be allowed to use?

Stance: AGAINST harsh physical sanctions — teachers should be limited to proportionate, non-violent, rights-respecting measures (detention, loss of privileges, restorative practices).

Author's own note: this essay shares some aspects with whether exclusion should be used in schools.

Definitions

• Disciplinary sanctions: Punitive or corrective measures used by teachers to respond to misconduct (e.g. detention, suspension, restorative conversations, exclusion).
• Allowed: Lawful, regulated, and normatively justified within a rights-based education system.
• Teachers: Professionals entrusted with safeguarding and educating children, bound by duty of care.

Assumptions under challenge

• Main assumption: That discipline is necessary in schools and that sanctions can legitimately enforce it.
• Further assumptions: (1) That sanctions can be distinguished from abuse. (2) That effective discipline can be achieved through measures that do not undermine dignity or education itself. (3) That state regulation of teacher powers is both possible and desirable.

Point 1 — Corporal punishment must be excluded