ALISON Fraser's view on school discipline (Evening News, April 24) is a little misguided. We have so much violence and other crimes on our streets these days because our children have not been given a "smack" to encourage good behaviour.

All they seem to receive is a continual "don't do that" after which the child does precisely the same thing it has been told not to do.

As for the alternative of missing school trips, that has been unsuccessfully tried. You have to get the pupils into school.

Some children after skipping school - a stroke of a cane would encourage them not to do it again.

At home, the younger child would benefit with a sharp "smack" on the second or third warning. #

The child will realise that sort of behaviour is not acceptable.

If the discipline is conducted both at home and at school, we will have better citizens in the future. I am not advocating a "flogging" or a beating, just a sharp smack or a stroke of the cane or ruler.

And no, we do not have to return to the use of slates.

PETER ALCOCK,

Upton Snodsbury,

Worcestershire.