The government plans to set up a team of experts to offer advice on improving school discipline.
The group of teachers and head teachers will also help develop a culture of respect in schools and to improve parental responsibility.
Education Secretary, Ruth Kelly says that she wants to create a "zero tolerance" approach to low-level disruption in classrooms and for schools to have clear rules and sanctions.
Will the government's proposals work? Are you a teacher? What do you think the solution is? How can schools develop a culture of respect?
This debate is now closed. You can read a selection of your comments below.
 |  Heads should be given much more power to take decisive action against disruptive pupils |
The degradation in society is reflected in its youth. As a teacher, it is readily apparent that too much power is in the hands of those not at the front line. Heads should be given much more power to take decisive action against disruptive pupils, so that teachers can teach and the overwhelming majority of pupils can learn. Moreover, mechanisms should be introduced to make parents much more accountable for the behaviour of their offspring.
Rahul, London Discipline within the classroom can be improved if teachers and headteachers stop ignoring the fact that bullying does occur within the school, instead of sweeping it under the carpet. They should also deal with the anti-social idiots who are causing the bullying instead of letting them run the playground by fear.
Richard, Oxford, England
Stop treating children like small adults and understand that although they may be physically bigger than kids used to be, they are not nearly as developed emotionally. They have too much, too soon, too easily There is an old saying that "a calm sea never made a good sailor".
Chris, Telford, UK
| We must start respecting students |
I think that to create respect in schools, we must start respecting students. I'm a student and when I attended GCSE lessons, the message was clear: Just get on and do it, don't ask why just do as you're told. I didn't misbehave, but others did and I can see why. They weren't on the teachers' side because the teachers weren't on theirs. When students are ordered around and given word-searches and other worthless tasks to do, and they are never going to return an unreciprocated respect.
Rob, Leics, UK A child who misbehaves is a warning light that something is wrong at home. Treat the problem more holistically and look at the individuals' personal circumstances. Are the parents suffering financial or relationship hardships which impact their parenting? Perhaps the problem is simply ignorance - make attending parenting classes offering advice on subjects such as nutrition and anger management obligatory for the parents and the child. The benefits of such an approach would reach way beyond the initial problem of classroom behaviour. This problem belongs to the whole of society, not just the schools and should be dealt with as such.
Miss J. Watson, London, England
My son arrived at secondary school bright, polite and eager to learn. But the gradual decline in his behaviour has been because of the appalling behaviour and language he was confronted with as soon as he walked through the doors of his secondary school. We demand good behaviour from him at home and have maintained our standards. But we feel powerless in the face of peer pressure and the influence society has over his behaviour.
Jane, Staffs
Nobody in the comments has mentioned that corporal punishment used to be an effective deterrent for maintaining school discipline. It is clear to see that the do-gooder approach by removing all deterrents has failed - which has bred a generation of yobs. The government's zero tolerance policy is yet another gimmick to cover up one of many problems that have emerged since Labour came to power.
A G Smith, Stevenage, Herts I am 13 and at the school I go to the only reason we ever don't do as we are told is if the teacher either isn't explaining things properly, or it is something we have no interest in. One way you can make us more sensible is if you have us doing things we enjoy. I wouldn't want to go to a youth club if one opened up near me, unless it has a bit of freedom. Children get enough discipline at school, we want a bit of freedom when we aren't at school. We need more parks, outdoor places where we aren't getting watched so closely.
Megan, UK
One thing that can be done is to reduce class sizes. It is much easier to be disruptive in a class of 30 than in a class of 12. Plus, in a smaller class all pupils can get more individual attention - which might get them more interested in what they are studying. This may mean that it is necessary to build more schools and hire more teachers. But to those who say we can't afford it, I would say if we can afford gratuitous wars, I would think we can afford anything.
Max, Abu Dhabi, UAE
If a child misbehaves or under performs at school the parents should be financially penalised.
Ian, UK
| I don't see why I should be subjected to verbal and aggressive abuse |
I'm a Maths teacher in a tough school. Pupils' behaviour is appalling because it is allowed to be by society. Pupils will argue, shout, scream, swear, hit, kick, throw things, walk in and out of lessons as they please and you wonder why they don't learn? What do we teachers do? In the past there was the quick sharp reproach with a cane, now I spend my spare time filling in paperwork knowing that the same children with the same bad manners will be in the same lessons tomorrow. I will be leaving the teaching profession within the next few years as I don't see why I should be subjected to verbal and aggressive abuse simply for asking a child to take their coat off. Would you put up with it?
Colin, Birmingham I am also a teacher and the truth is that we have more and more problems with young people at schools. I think we are to blame, the whole society and especially parents for a stressless upbringing of their children. People wake up: if you don't change anything this generation will pay you back for the lack of your wisdom
Iza, Poland
I went to school in a rough comprehensive, but we knew the social boundaries of what we could get away with. Why? Because when we were younger, if we stepped out of line, we were "taught" with a quick slap to the leg (or hand, arm bottom). If the parents are unwilling to use any discipline, then the school must.
Steve, London
I am 17 and left school last year. While at school I was shocked by the lack of respect children showed for teachers and each other. Stronger discipline is needed in the home, and teachers also need to be given more rights, otherwise it won't be the teachers controlling the pupils but the pupils controlling the teachers.
David, Ashton-Under-Lyne
We do have to be careful not to demonise young people. Whatever approach is adopted it is essential to get children and their parents fully committed. Listen to what they have to say so they can contribute to the debate. I also think the government is seeking to detract attention away from the lack of provision for young people, on the ground, for example, lack of youth clubs, affordable sporting and leisure activities. Talk is cheap, there has to be money spent as well.
Marlon Ranghel, London, England
Where are all the kids we kick out of schools going to go? Will they just be out bored and making a problem in the community? Young people need things to do. We have no youth clubs, parents don't want gangs of kids at their houses. All young people want to do is to be with each other, chat and have stuff to do cheaply. Young people should be considered more. Respect works both ways.
Scarlet, Liverpool, UK
My father is a science teacher (compulsory subject) in a secondary school. I was shocked and appalled to hear that only one set of parents attended his last parent evening (out of a class of 30). If the parents don't care then what hope is there for the teachers?
Elle, Lancs
An opinion from the USA. When I was growing up and I acted up at school, I had four people to worry about: my teacher, my principal and my mom and dad. Now, when a kid acts up, the teacher has to worry about the principal, the principal has to worry about the parent's lawyers and the kid doesn't have to worry about a thing. I have a daughter-in-law who teaches, and she has been hit, kicked, sworn at, and generally has to put up with abuse that would have had me or my peers standing up for a week with a very sore behind.
Steve, Londonderry, NH, USA
| Is this just another mini quango that will waste even more money? |
Does it need a team of experts when it has been shown that changing the diet changes the behaviour and in all schools that adopted Jamie Oliver's menu the behaviour improved beyond all recognition? Is this just another mini quango that will waste even more money when the answer is obvious?
Duncan, Salisbury, UK If anyone else says 'Respect has to be earned' I will scream. It does NOT have to be earned. If I meet someone for the first time I show them respect, they've done nothing to earn that respect. I believe everyone has the right to respect, and if everyone thought this way there'd be fewer problems in society.
Kevin, West Midlands
We don't need experts, we need common sense and ridding our schools and advisory panels of the woolly liberal-minded do-gooders who have only done bad by their actions. They talk of alienation, but these children alienate themselves. They talk of responsibility, but these children have none. They talk of understanding the bad behaviour, but these children are never made to understand it or undo the damage that they cause.
Tom Franklin, London, UK
Six months ago I started work in a secondary school. The first time that I'd spent much time in one since I left school over 30 years ago. What a shock it was. The overall impression is that the pupils can do much as they please. They move along the corridors in mobs. They don't seem to understand the concept of silence and feel that it's fine to shout out at any time in class. The school does have rules and guidelines but no one seems to take much notice. The sanctions don't seem to deter the pupils because there doesn't seem to be an ultimate sanction. The worst that can happen is that they are excluded for a period of days, and to many that is a good result.
Paul, Lancashire
I think there would be an improvement in behaviour if there was an improvement in diet. The number of pupils in my registration class who at 8:50am are drinking fizzy juice and eating sweets is shocking! No wonder they can't sit at peace! A large number are also sent to school totally unprepared e.g. no pen, no bag etc, but only with a mobile phone and MP3. I worry at the message they are getting from the home about the importance of education.
Caroline, Glasgow
I personally don't think it's the kids at fault - I have a 16 year old who at home is fine, but at school is terrible. I think we should start with the way teachers behave and are trained. They so much want to be popular with pupils and have a laugh and a joke with them, but when it comes to discipline, they deal with them badly. I also think more money should be ploughed into providing free clubs or something for them to do or somewhere where they can meet up with their friends in the evenings.
Marie-Anne Haskell, Fareham, Hampshire, UK We have a society in which parents concentrate on paying off a mortgage, credit cards and holidays, and fail to be family orientated. Parents fail to see that their lack of interaction with and failure to take responsibility for their own children is the root of the problem.
Tim Rose, London UK
The current crisis is related to a seven day shopping week, family-unfriendly working hours and children being brought into the world by those who are themselves little more than children. In addition we have media which increasingly glorify the crass, the stupid and the untalented, giving the impression that serious application and effort are pointless.
David Edwards, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
| Sanctions should be clear and universally applied |
My sister is a primary school teacher. She is currently off work as she was kicked in the eye by a 5 year old. This child has been causing problems all year (and is violent towards his class, other pupils, teachers and classroom assistants without discrimination). The parent refuses to accept responsibility, as discipline at school is the problem of the school, and how the children behave at home is no business of the schools. Parents need to realise their responsibilities before schools can successfully improve discipline. Sanctions should be clear and universally applied, without exception.
Kirsty, Crawley, UK "Give me the boy until he is 7, and I will give you the man". Almost every problem in modern society, from this yobbish behaviour through to police morale, red tape, obesity, drugs, unemployment and ultimately high taxes and insufficient pensions - is down to poor parenting skills. Even wealthy people with good jobs are hopeless at this and the evidence is all around you, in supermarkets, on TV, in schools. The trouble is, the people most likely to be able to sort the problem are not the ones a government would choose to do it.
Sue, UK
Teachers are employed in schools to educate pupils in their specialised fields. They shouldn't be expected to expand into the areas that the parents are responsible for. Discipline and a decent upbringing begin at home.
Ross, UK
I agree with Ruth Kelly's zero tolerance approach, but she is approaching the problem from the wrong angle - attacking the symptoms instead of the disease. Discipline should start in the home, and should be a well established habit before the child starts attending school. The fault ultimately lies with parents who shirk the responsibility of instilling socially acceptable behaviour in their children at pre-school age. The solution is to hold parents and children jointly responsible for unacceptable behaviour. Only then will the root of the problem be reached by those who seek to improve the situation.
Chris B, Bedford, England Perhaps politicians could lead the way? If they showed some respect for each other and for the citizens they serve, others would follow suit.
Derek, Hatfield, Herts
I work in a large secondary school and am constantly astonished and disappointed at the level of upbringing our students have. It is no wonder they see nothing wrong in their behaviour when they are supported by their parents and learn this behaviour at home. The family unit is now in the minority, the norm is for single parents with the opposing partner having visiting rights. Until we can go back to a society of morals and manners we stand no hope of changing anything. This government has been in power for eight years now, no more blaming those before.
Liz, Stevenage, Herts
| Getting behaviour right in primary schools is an important first step to helping solve this problem
|
So, who are these expert head teachers? Are they all from secondary schools? If so why? Surely getting behaviour right in primary schools is an important first step to helping solve this problem. An alphabet search of the DFES website fails to find the words Behaviour or Discipline so how much of all this is a political smokescreen to fool us into thinking the government is really trying to effect something over which they have no control?
Rod Woodhouse, Herts The focus should not be on this vague notion of respect, rather on civility. If I meet someone I don't respect, even if I feel contempt for them, I am still able to act in a civil manner. I don't really care if people respect me or not, but I like to be treated civilly.
Martin Hill-Jones, Llannon, Carmarthenshire
Most of the time it's the kid who's being bullied who ends up having to move school - while the bullies themselves carry on happily to their next victim. There's too many 'chances' and 'fresh starts' given to these characters, who secretly smirk at the weakness of the system and its inability to punish them.
Stuart Jebbitt, Bournemouth, Dorset, England
How can people expect children to show respect for teachers and school when they don't have respect for themselves? This won't change until the government tackles the core problems of poverty and a lack of opportunity for the future. Children today are a legacy their parent's lack of hope.
Niall Wilson, Linlithgow, Scotland I'm taking issue in the strongest terms with Niall Wilson's comments that poverty and lack of opportunity are causing poor behaviour in schools. That's nonsense. Poverty and opportunity have never been less of a problem in this country than they are today. As a teacher in a pupil referral unit, I can tell you that the only way to improve the situation is to use the law to force more parents to attend to their child's upbringing, rather than neglect this duty, which is the real root cause of most teenage delinquency.
Chas, UK
The only way is to ensure there is sufficient deterrent in place. Teachers need to have full an unwavering support from other teachers and education officials with the parents held personally responsible for the actions of their child. Any physical attack on a teacher should result in criminal charges and permanent exclusion without exception. Repeat troublemakers should be excluded from school altogether and placed in a disciplinarian academy where they can have proper structure to their lives, social responsibilities instilled as well as normal education.
Robin, Birmingham, UK
By having parents learn how to discipline their children and not coming in arguing with the teacher when their 'little darling' has been told off.
Anon, UK
| Teachers are often treated as scapegoats for wider social problems |
Parents are the key to the problem. They need to teach their kids respect in the home before sending them to school. "Teacher bashing" is all too common and teachers are often treated as scapegoats for wider social problems when in reality their hands are tied.
Griff, Cardiff, Wales Respect is not anyone's 'right' - it has to be earned. Parents need to start respecting their children by giving them the time to bring them up properly and schools need to ensure pupils are respected by not letting a string of disinterested supply teachers take their classes. I have worked in education for nearly twenty years and I really believe that children are just echoing the bad behaviour of their elders.
Maggie, Bury, England
Sadly there can be no respect, as the majority of the children today do not have any. If we could try an install in them that vandalising and beating up, stealing is not cool or funny we may go some way towards getting respect back. When I was at school, you wouldn't dare disrespect a teacher or even hit one like they do today. If we did we got the cane.
David Quinton, Wigan, England
You can't improve something that doesn't exist.
Lee, Hebburn, England
The solution is simple, cause trouble, lose a grade. Also parents should be made more accountable for the children's actions.
Paul Collier, London, UK
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