ABSTRACT
It is convenient to start from the fact that the teacher is placed in charge of his pupils; he is given authority over them by the Local Education Authority (LEA) on behalf of the community. In the area of a certain small LEA several years ago an unfortunate incident occurred which resulted in the Authority's banning corporal punishment from its schools. Anyone in a position of command bears the responsibility for maintaining discipline in that part of the organization which comes in his province. To observe the principle of manifest goodwill calls for a high degree of selflessness and self-discipline in the teacher: not only at the level of keeping patience with exasperating stupidity or misbehaviour but in constantly submitting his own will and feelings to the needs of immature people. Those who relish their bit of battle in asserting their authority may have to regard it as a luxury they can no longer afford.
