At the school I attend (yes I'm a student - reading this part of pprune as I get much valuable info from you guys) - spinning is part of the ab-initio training. Students going out to the training area solo and practising spins is on the syllabus and assesed for the GFPT test. Then again we're in fully aerobatic Robins - so we're not crumpling expensive airframes in the process. Personally, I'd much rather practice spin entry/exit and be confident performing them than trying to remember the "advice without demonstration and practice" when the poo hits the fan in FL situation.
There was a death here recently where a student from another school spinned his way to terra firma after an engine failure. Sure - it's more important to teach how to not get into a spin - but I reckon it's very good practice to rehearse the exit of a spin also.