RISING violence in classrooms has forced the Education Department to train teachers to block punches and put students in wrestling holds.

Corporal punishment is still banned, as is any form of discipline that "includes any threat of physical violence or harm", while teachers are still ­instructed not to "engage in any form of behaviour which could cause physical, emotional or psychological harm of any kind to students".

However, a department spokesman said they have been providing training by Crisis Prevention Institute, a US-based company that normally teaches prison officers how to subdue violent inmates.

The techniques being taught are mostly leverage-based and designed to force violent students into submission without breaking bones or triggering a heart attack.

"Any restraint should be only that which is reasonably necessary to prevent a real and immediate threat of injury or serious damage and where there is no other practical way of preventing the likely injury or damage," he said.

Teachers from both primary and secondary schools are receiving the training.

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