At my school only boys were caned. The masters wore academic gowns.
Caning offences included: arson, back chat, behaviour bringing the school into disrepute, bullying, cheating, consumption of alcohol, creating a disturbance, damaging school property, dishonesty, disobedience, dumb insolence, fighting, homework not completed. impertinence, inattention, incomplete school uniform, insolence, late for class, lying, no phys ed gear, out of bounds, possession of prohibited item, smoking, swearing, talking in class, talking in assembly, throwing stones, truancy, untidy dress and other things.
One to six strokes were award and applied to the seat of our school uniform shorts with us inside. Summer uniform shorts were cotton drill.