A tennis match in the correspondence columns of The Argus between the pro and anti corporal punishment lobby highlights a growing problem.

No reasonable person would advocate caning or any other form of physical discipline as a desirable activity.

However, a reasonable person should also be concerned at the increasing problems of control in classrooms highlighted in the most recent report from OFSTED.

I would welcome a reasoned debate investigating alternatives to corporal punishment and their effectiveness.

I am concerned the current position will result in a substantial number of unemployable young people incapable of controlling their behaviour and having no stake in society.

-J Davey, West Avenue, Worthing