UK classes disrupted by spoilt children

Spoilt boys and girls who are disruptive in lessons are increasingly becoming a problem for teachers.

That is according to Amanda Haehner, president of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), who has asserted that "little princes and princesses" who are used to getting exactly what they want all time do not listen to teachers.

Speaking at NASUWT's annual conference in Birmingham, Ms Haehner said that such children, who often come from middle class families, are used to being the centre of attention and struggle to cope when they are in a classroom of around 30 youngsters.

However, she said that these youngsters do actually want to have rules and boundaries and are showing that they are "desperately unhappy". Ms Haehner urged parents to take responsibility for their children's behaviour and make more of an effort to discipline them.

She explained: "Creating boundaries takes time and effort but cannot remain the sole preserve of teachers and schools.

"Whilst good teaching is of the essence, the participation and responsibility of the learner, I believe, needs much greater reinforcement."