That this factory-like climate may not be conducive to the free and open discussion of controversial issues is reinforced in some schools in South Africa by the continuing use of corporal punishment, despite it being officially illegal (Morrell 2001; Nelson Downloaded by [Chulalongkorn University] at 19:16 13 October 2014
Mandela Foundation 2005). Among tutors and students corporal punishment was itself a controversial issue as there were viewpoints both in favour and against.