Labour says people who indoctrinate children with religion may also be allowed to hit them
Although smacking is banned in state and private schools a loophole in the law means that while teachers in state and private schools are banned from smacking children, part-time teachers of religion are not. (Guardian 30.1.10) Teachers who take pupils for fewer than 12.5 hours of lessons a week have the same status as someone who is standing in for a parent, and can therefore give a child a mild ‘smack’. They can plead the defence of "reasonable punishment". The issue has been raised by Ann Cryer MP, who wants the loophole closed. In response Ed Balls, children’s secretary, said, "The defence...