CLASSROOM stress is at an all-time high. Local authorities are paying millions to provide cover for teachers who are ill.

Everyone suffers when a teacher is on long-term sick leave. Classes are disturbed, the curriculum is interrupted and the remaining staff are overburdened.

And, as our survey in today’s paper demonstrates, taxpayers have to dig deep to pay for teaching sickness cover.

A survey of teachers published yesterday found that an alarming number are suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.

Unions say the poor behaviour of pupils is at the heart of many teachers’ health issues.

The abolition of corporal punishment since 1987 was a good decision.

There should be no place for the cane in a civilised society.

However, the pendulum has swung too far. Teachers have been emasculated to such a degree that they are now helpless in the face of pupil aggression – both verbal and physical.

Inevitably, as in any profession, some teachers will find the attractions of daytime TV more compelling than double maths, and we need to weed out the ill-inentioned from the truly ill.

As a society we should all be concerned that deteriorating standards and unruly pupils are leading some great teachers to conclude they have had enough.

Parents and teachers need to work together to create safe, harmonious schools where everyone – staff and pupils – can reach their maximum potential.