Anni Merkle, Pinelands
I read the letter from Colin Jooste (“A parent’s perspective,” Tatler, February 14), with distaste and feel that I must comment.
Mr Jooste and I share a passion for good manners, obedience and respect, but he sadly fails in the later paragraphs of his writing, by endorsing corporal punishment and, unfortunately, referring to the “desired effects of the cane” (which is illegal).
I found particularly distasteful his reference to an idiomatic expression in textbooks in the 50s, which smacks of racism.
His letter did not address any of the issues raised in the “Slap Teacher” incident and seems to have simply been a rant which ended with the unfortunate implied statement that we should not be surprised if our teachers become alcoholics!