No good reasons to use the cane

Days of caning and whipping are over
Were you caned by your teacher in the 60's or 70's and still turned into an honourable citizen? Does this mean caning is good for you? By sparing the rod will you spoil the child? Does the same reasoning work today? Would you go to a hospital today and still expect them to treat you with medicine from the 1960s?

IN response to In favour of caning in The Star, Feb 18, I'd like to begin by saying that those days are over. While I'm sure the writer has accomplished much, the world has changed.

As we have progressed, we have discovered more methods of teaching, learning, and reaching out to students. What is best for one child is not necessarily what is best for another. Sixty years ago, problems like ADD and dyslexia were not given attention to at all. In fact, during schooling in that era, children were whipped for the “crime” of being left-handed. Is this truly an education system that can deem itself sophisticated or helpful?

Times have changed, people are far more educated with regards to teaching others and we have only two options: evolve or die. Either jump on the wagon or hop off the tracks, my friend.

What is the point of progress if we cling on to the sad remainders of yesteryear? While there are always values that will remain constant no matter what the year, education - like healthcare - is not something that should be allowed to stagnate.

You wouldn't go to a hospital today and expect them to treat you with medicine and from the 1950s, would you? The very idea itself is laughable.

And the letter also says that without caning, he or she “might not be” what they are today. Let me just say that it is a sad, sad world when all the positive achievements one has made in his or her lifetime must be attributed to violence.

What about personal drive, intelligence, hard work and talent - or perhaps these are all modern traits? Finally, the letter claims that “certain groups say caning is barbaric”. Certain groups? The majority of the educated world are of the conviction that caning in schools is unhelpful, has more adverse effects than positive, and is brutal to boot.

To be concise, certain groups say caning is not barbaric and these groups are either outdated or just plain inept at interacting with children.

The writer has presented no concrete evidence for caning, and only cites personal experiences from half a century ago. Please, let's have some basis for an argument here.

Finally, in my last letter, I did cite my spell in a British curriculum system school. I was there from the first grade until I graduated from high school (in 2006). Therefore, I am able to refer to my experiences as those of modern-day schooling, and not bring up an education from 50 years ago and try to purvey it as relevant to today's age.

- TARSHINI S. SUKUMARAN,

Sg Buloh, Selangor.

JR: Very well put, Tarshini.