PHYSICAL punishment in schools will not be resurrected in Tasmania despite a national education leader, who is heading the Abbott government's school curriculum review, saying it was an effective disciplinary tool.
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Kevin Donnelly is co-chairman of the curriculum review, due this year, and said this week that he would support schools who chose to use corporal punishment.
Education Minister Jeremy Rockcliff quashed any suggestions of bringing back the cane, with laws banning it in Tasmania in 1999.
Opposition education spokeswoman Michelle O'Byrne said she was alarmed by the comments made by Mr Donnelly.
"A key Liberal adviser having such outdated views shows just how out of touch the federal government is," she said.
Principals Association president David Raw said corporal punishment was a reflection of old fashioned values that were not relevant in today's schools. "We don't have public floggings and judges don't sanction penalties that involve corporal punishment," he said.
