Sitting in a coffee shop in a University town at the start of the month; it was still the academic vacation, yet at the next table were three student-aged lasses.
Why were they here, I wondered, when their friends were all at home? The solution seemed obvious. They’d failed to achieve the anticipated grades in their pre-Christmas exams; the academic authorities had imposed a Tutorial Vacation on them.
Every morning, they’d each report to their personal tutor. The previous day’s assignment would be discussed, reviewed. Should the work fall short of the necessary and expected standards, they’d be punished: sound tawsings – on the hand to begin with, then on the bare bottom should there be repetition of their poor work.
The afternoon would be spent in the library; their evenings would be free, but they’d be expected to study. And, of course, at both the start and end of the holiday period, they’d be made to line up in front of the Vice Chancellor’s office to be caned – for punishment the first time, and for discipline before the new term started.