Hi Rhrosty,

I'm with you, as is Kevin re parental responsibility but what if the parents are irresponsible?

Nothing wrong with the cane within guidelines as I recall from my school days.

Sounds like the Finns could teach us a thing or two.

Until State Schools can fix the problem parents will continue to opt for church and other independent schools where they seem to have a better handle on the problem.

Huge part of the problem is deadbeat parents. They breed deadbeat kids more often than not. Such parents rarely give a rats about their offsprings education or future job prospects because that's what Centrelink is for. Discipline is usually either non-existent or thuggery - either way the kid has little example and less guidance.

Then, I agree, there are the ethnics with attitude and/or a chip on both shoulders and they know all their rights .....

Public schools don't have much choice regarding enrolments. Private schools do, plus they have reputations to build or preserve and the expectations of their paying clients to meet. If parents opt to fork out hard earned money on a better quality educational experience for their child/children, they are more likely to be the people who ensure other needs are also well met - including discipline. Frequently the desire to have similar good behaviour instilled and upheld at the school as in the home is a strong reason for many parents when investing in their childs future.

I largely blame the social engineers who have been busy undermining the authority of parents, elders, schools and law enforcement for many years now. Our society is reaping the harvest