Corporal punishment, in schools, isn't so bad. It applies a disciplinary solution that has an immediate effect, and it concludes whatever issue has arisen quickly and efficiently.
In my school, caning was an option, and was often employed. I'm unaware of any child ever, at any time, being actually 'damaged' by its use. However .. discipline was maintained. My school was, and continues to this day to be (and acknowledged as such), one providing the best learning environment to be found anywhere within a radius of several miles. It didn't FAIL as a school. Very far from it.
[... Granted, use of the cane, today, is pretty much impossible, thanks to interfering Lefties of Pete's ilk, and yes, this DOES cause some difficulty. Still, my school can and does trade on its reputation ... and still, relatively speaking, performs well as an excellent teaching environment]