YOUR headline in Monday’s edition for a letter from Angus H Shaw asks why there isn’t zero tolerance of school violence. The answer is that zero tolerance has been demonstrated to a be self-defeating approach to violent or aggressive behaviour because it is in itself an aggressive approach.
Mr Shaw claims that there are “many more examples of violence among the young than there were 60 years ago”. Has he never read The Beano? The Bash Street Kids have been systematically abusing their teacher since the 1950s. The Beatles sang about Maxwell murdering his teacher in 1969. On TV, class 5C at Fenn Street School were beyond control of all but one of the staff from 1968 to 1972. Further back, violence in schools is described by DH Lawrence in The Rainbow (1915), Thomas Hughes in Tom Brown’s Schooldays (1857) and Charlotte Bronte in Jane Eyre (1847). This is only a selection of a widespread depiction of this issue in the arts. Violence in schools is nothing new and probably no worse than it ever was, although improving data systems might suggest otherwise.
READ MORE: Labour told Union Jack displays 'make them look like Ibrox', book says
Why would we repeat the errors of the past by trying to use violence to reduce violence, when we can see from literature that there was always an issue with violent behaviour in schools long before physical punishment was banned? How can you remove aggression from a culture if those in leadership positions within that culture are themselves aggressive? It is surely time that those in education learned the lessons instead of going round in circles and calling for zero tolerance and greater punishments every year at this time when the teaching unions have their autumn conferences.
The solution is to create a culture in schools based on peace that seeks to eliminate violence from all sources. Those who work in education must take a lead in setting an example that young people will want to follow, understanding that people who hurt children are not good role models. Any form of violence – including punishment that is intended to hurt whether physically, mentally or emotionally – will perpetuate the problem.
One day the penny will drop and people like your correspondent will no longer say “I was belted as a child and it did me no harm; it only made me a person who thinks it’s OK to hit children”.
Ni Holmes
St Andrews
RURAL poverty is a pressing issue that often gets overlooked by urban-led governments. The unique challenges faced by those living in our countryside must not be ignored. Families in many rural areas struggle to make ends meet, with limited access to essential services, affordable housing and employment opportunities.
The harsh reality is that rural communities experience poverty differently than their urban counterparts. The isolation, lack of transport, and declining local economies further exacerbate the situation. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s about real lives, real families, and a future that hangs in the balance.
READ MORE: Surprise result in Tory leadership contest as another MP knocked out
We must demand that our leaders take rural poverty seriously and implement policies that address these specific needs. Local initiatives, investment in infrastructure, and support for agriculture and small businesses are crucial. It is time to ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live, has access to the resources and opportunities they deserve.
Let’s rally together to raise awareness and push for action. Our rural communities are the backbone of our nation, and we owe it to them to fight for a brighter, fairer future. Together, we can make a difference.
Councillor Alastair Redman
Isle of Islay
IN your report on the Cayzer family and the nefarious activities of the Economic League, you correctly describe Sir Charles Cayzer, founder of the Clan shipping line, as baronet of Gartmore (Family linked to employee blacklisting bankrolling Tories, Oct 6).
He acquired the estate of Gartmore, in Stirlingshire, in 1900 from my great-great-uncle, RB Cunninghame Graham, who was driven to sell by mounting debt, though it broke his heart to do so.
Graham, the first British politician ever to declare himself a socialist, was the co-founder with Keir Hardie of the Scottish Labour Party, forerunner of the modern Labour Party, and later in life, the founding president of the Scottish National Party. Had he known in 1900 what the Cayzer family would get up to, I very much doubt he would have sold to Sir Charles, however desperate his circumstances.
James Jauncey
Author of Don Roberto: The Adventure of Being Cunninghame Graham
AN interesting letter from Brian Lawson anent heating allowances in Ireland and Scotland (Oct 4). What Mr Lawson fails to take account of is that the English government have Trident, a seat on the Security Council and that the English Prime Minister is from time permitted to go to the White House to kiss the behind of the American president. We have to conclude the Irish, even though warmer, are far worse off the we Scots. Or to put it more bluntly, “ya boo sucks” to Ireland!
R Mill Irving
Gifford, East Lothian
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here