Now this is a really controversial topic for many people because what happens is that the parent gets a letter from scholl saying that little billy's class is going for an educational visit to the local amusement park and that the school would like an 'voluntary' donation of £15 to offset the costs. The letter goes on to say that no child will be excluded on the grounds of non-payment. Bit the voluntary donation and the non-exclusion clause are products of the 1984 Children's Act and the 1996 Education Act.
Now, for the sake of a bit f social experimentation, decide not to send the voluntary donation and, having lit the blue touchpaper, wait for the show.
Point the First - there's the reminder that there is money outstanding. When this comes telephone the school and tell them that you are unable to pay the required 'voluntary' donation.
Point the Second - You are then told that if the money isn't paid then the child cannot be included in the trip. To this you point out that the donation is 'voluntary' to which you will be told that the word 'voluntary' is only in the letter because the law requires it and that if you don't pay they can't go!
Point the Third - explain that it is illegal to prevent any child going on an 'educational' trip because they haven't paid. This is the good bit, because whilst acknowledging that this is what the law says, the person on the other end points out that what the law says and the real world are a great deal different form each other!
So what we have here is institutionalised deceit and illegal behaviour as well!
I work in an area where there are many who can pay, but apparently often don't and many more who struggle to exist and yet pay and this is, for me, an area of concern, frustration and intense niggle. As Christians we are called to let our 'Yes' be 'Yes' and our 'No' be 'No' but it appears that the (increasingly less than) noble profession of teaching and the world of education exists to live in a world of deceit and double-talk!
Is it any wonder we live in such a sad world when the basic tenets of integrity no longer apply to those who teach our kids?
Pax
3 comments:
I so agree with your comments here. When I was still a single parent, the letters asking for various voluntary donations came,as you said. With two children at the school, both needed donations that I couldn't afford but always hd to find.
The worst was the P7 week away on an Adventure on a near by Island.A two hundred pound donation! I couldn't pay, so he didn't go. The rest of the class went, and no provision was made for the boy at school, so he stayed home. I felt terrible for depriving him of the experience and he felt terrible when the teacher encouraged the others to tell him how much he missed.
Education is becoming more and more expensive as the years go by and paying for school tours and trips is certainly a cause for concern. You’re right that schools should be clear cut though, say what you mean people!
The problem is that school budgets ARE tight and we all know and sympathise with it - however, school teachers need to understand that parents' budgets are equally squeezed and a couple of simple points would make things a little easier:
1. consult first before planning trips: too often they are presented as a fait accomplis and parents feel obliged to find the money.
2. give plenty of notice so that parents can plan and save.
Just a note to Tootalburd, it is illegal for a school to prevent a child from going on a trip due to inability to pay. You should always protest and quote the relevant legislation (mentioned by Vic). Many schools get around this by saying that if not enough children pay, then the trip will not be able to go ahead - effectively black-mailing low-income parents into finding the cash rather than being the reason that no-one can go (a much worse predicament than just your own child missing out!) The law is on your side - face them down!
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