CORPORAL punishment has been abolished in Kenya's schools (BBC Radio 4).

Ever since, disaster -- in the form of attacks upon teachers, hooliganism and even murder -- has become the order of the day.

Well, what did the Kenyans expect? They only had to look at Britain's blackboard jungle. As with some adults, some children have no sense of shame, no feeling or consideration for others, and no conscience. Physical pain is the only thing that they are afraid of.

The liberal bleeding heart philosophy, aided and abetted by the dubious conclusions of psychological research (which I have always been suspicious of) has brought disaster to the classroom and reduced the educational system to nothing more than a waste of taxpayers' money.

To disguise this sad state of affairs the "Socialist 'A' level" has been invented. All candidates pass, except for a token few of hopeless cases to lend verisimilitude, and all the grades are harmonised by robbing bright Peter of a few marks and giving them to dim Paul. Is anyone deceived? I don't think so.

N G Charnley, Chesterfield Road, Blackpool.