The second woman “was caned for inking in a name carved on her desk” and, probably as a result, “felt a general animosity towards teachers for having the power to impose arbitrary punishments.”
In that case, I believe a punishment was deserved but the one imposed was excessive.
In my own case, I can’t say I was ever punished unjustly – quite the opposite in fact.
I got away with a lot. I can only think of one case that was a little unfair.
The first time I got the cane (for truancy), another girl and I got three strokes on our bare hands whilst the equally guilty boys got three strokes across their bums with the protection of their trousers and underpants.
(I only learned later that the level of protection so provided is insignificant.)