THE lack of discipline in schools is frequently blamed for the country's problems with anti-social behaviour.

But discipline has its roots in the home. That is where standards should be set, boundaries established, and the difference between right and wrong made clear.

We therefore support the calls made at the National Association of Head Teachers conference for new parents to attend weekly sessions to learn how to bring up their children.

Raising a child is the most challenging task facing any of us. It is also the most rewarding if it is done successfully, and potentially the most damaging to society if it goes wrong.

Yet how much is done to prepare any of us for the ordeal of parenthood? The answer is precious little.

Expectant mums and dads get the chance to attend parentcraft classes to find out about the practicalities such as changing and bathing babies. But once the baby has arrived, they are left to sink or swim.

Tony Blair once famously promised that Labour would be tough on crime and the causes of crime.

By following the path outlined by the head teachers, he would be addressing the main cause of crime - a lack of control in too many homes across Britain.

Woman of worth

MARGARET Hassan was not in Iraq as part of the attack on the country by America and Britain. She was there long before the war to provide humanitarian relief to needy Iraqis.

Her death is therefore especially difficult to understand and it has outraged Iraqi people just as much as those in this country.

Hopefully, her loved ones will find comfort in the knowledge that she made an extremely positive imprint on the world.