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The teacher was stupid to try to make it physical. That just shows that making it physical is a bad idea. The school did the right thing by sacking him - that's just unacceptable behaviour.
In the long run, the best results come from changing the way people think, not by whacking them into submission.
Rant on
Bob, have a think about 'teach them right from wrong'. Whose responsibility are you intending to make it?
Surely it's the parents' responsibility by example and direction, and even if they abrogate that responsibility, why would you expect a classroom teacher to be the next port of call?
The threat of assault (by cane or hand) is no way to change or improve our society's apparent slide into lawlessness. Your own solution, the involvement of kids in team sport and challenging physical activity, is probably the only way a non-family person can influence any kid for the better.
Every teacher I know, after teaching for many years in the profession, is acutely aware that their standing and reputation is always under the microscope and subject to scrutiny by anyone who wants to have a chop. And most who find the furnace of a modern classroom too hot, leave. So the remainder are even more under the pump! They haven't got the time or inclination to smack or cane or anything else.....and it's not their responsibility to do so, either.
I can also see the team influence of your former service career - mine echoes yours but in the Army.
Parents are the ones to decide about their kids' response to unacceptable behaviour. If they wish to smack their children, they can. Society has decided (and Bob, you are part of it) that others may not hand out corporal punishment to kids. It is viewed as assault.
Rant off.
Cheers, mate
Pete