yeah, i think they are too lenient. there were situations here, when students put a recycle bin on their english teacher's head and he couldn't defend himself, cause that'd be considered as violence against students.
^ that's sick, cause students can do practically everything. my school is kinda lenient, but people who go there are normal boys n girls. but there are places, where you're actually scared to go, cause you never know what's gonna happen.
and now they say "we have to do something" - what can they do, if teachers have no authority

they can shout, write/call your parents or send you to the principal. and that's all.. i don't think 17-18 yrs old thugs care about it..
if they want school to "bring up" kids, they need to strenghten the discipline.