Sir: It has been reported in several newspapers that corporal punishment is still prevalent in Pakistani schools, despite several international and national declarations condemning such punishment. This is an extremely disappointing situation. Children go to school to learn about life and the world, and while every child is difficult and some may be very difficult to handle, physical punishment is not the answer. How can we inculcate our children with values like patience and peace when a teacher, who is supposed to be a child’s guide, resorts to physical punishment to make his or her point? Federal and provincial education authorities must look into the matter and ensure that teachers are deterred from using corporal punishment, and those that continue to do so should be dismissed immediately. REHMAN BHATTIPeshawar