Teachers say Bible sanctions cane

A group of teachers and heads at independent schools today said the Bible justified their right to smack pupils, the High Court heard today.

They quoted the Book of Proverbs as justification for their claim to the right to inflict corporal punishment if the pupil's parents agreed.

The case, which could have wide implications, has been brought by a loose association of 40 independent Christian schools.

John Friel, for the schools, said "part of their religious worship and part of their beliefs are that corporal punishment is part of their Christian doctrine".

Mr Justice Elias immediately asked if that belief originated in any Biblical text and was referred to the Book of Proverbs.

Although not read out in court Proverbs makes numerous references to the punishment of children. Proverbs 22-15 reads: "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child but the rod of discipline will drive it from him."

Proverbs 29-15 reads: "The rod of correction imparts wisdom but a child left to itself disgraces its mother."

A third quotation from Proverbs, 13-24 reads: "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him." Headteacher Phil Williamson from the Christian Fellowship School in Liverpool is a leading figure in the action and took the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg in 1999. It ruled that there was nothing to prevent teachers from smacking children if their parents approved.

He said: "We are not aiming at a suppressive, draconian, Dickensian regime. We want children to feel secure when they come to school."

Corporal punishment is illegal in schools but Mr Williamson said that the vast majority of parents support his campaign.

The case continues.