How many years ago were teachers allowed to hit pupils?

The practice of corporal punishment in schools has varied widely by country and region. In many places, it was common until the late 20th century; for instance, in the United States, it was legally permitted in some states until the early 2000s. However, many countries have banned the practice altogether, with significant progress made toward protecting students' rights since the 1980s and 1990s. As of today, corporal punishment is banned in many parts of the world, but it remains legal in some areas.