in public schools.

Head of Bermuda's ParentTeacher Association, Mrs. Marion Askia, yesterday said the issue was discussed at the group's monthly meeting last month and the "general consensus was that there was no general consensus''.

Of the few who turned out to the Peace Lutheran Church, Paget meeting feelings were extreme, Mrs. Askia said.

"They came up with the fact that they think there are other alternatives to behavioural modification that are better than corporal punishment,'' she said.

"But there were also some who did not want to see it removed. They see it as a deterrent.

"It seems to be one of those issues where you're going to have a lot of discussion on both sides.'' Last month, Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons announced that corporal punishment will be banned under an amended Education Act.

"Parents and educators are not convinced corporal punishment leads to any long term changes in student behaviour,'' Mr. Simons said.

Since Britain abolished corporal punishment in its schools in the mid-1980s, Government has also been working to get rid of the form of discipline, he said.

Corporal punishment is" seldom used'' in schools and only can be administered by the principal or in his or her presence.

Mr. Simons said he firmly believed corporal punishment was not the answer to indiscipline.

Instead, he said, teachers need to learn better teaching practices and make use of the other punishment options available, such as detentions and suspensions.

"One concern of corporal punishment is that it does condone the use of violence when faced with a frustrating social problem,'' Mr. Simons said in an earlier interview. "People need to be taught other means to deal with their problems.'' And Mrs. Askia, who said the Minister's announcement came as a surprise, yesterday echoed similar sentiments.

Speaking personally on the issue, the West Pembroke Primary School PTA president said: "I would rather see alternatives used rather than physical punishment.

"We all know that it can be abused in the schools, the same way it can be abused in homes. The schools are part of the establishment. They should be setting an example and showing that there are alternatives to physical punishment, such as denial of privileges.'' Mrs. Askia said because it was hard to gauge a majority of PTAs' views on the issue with the low turnout at last month's meeting, it will be on the group's agenda 16.

She urged parents to attend that meeting and to become more involved with the national PTA, not only in time of crises.

For further information on the National PTA call 292-6483.