Schools in the United Kingdom will be required to keep records of student pregnancy rates, drug addictions, criminal records, and obesity levels. That’s right, schools will have to document how many of its students get knocked up, sniff coke, rob their neighbors and are topping the scales. (read the full story)
The UK government is requiring schools to do this to give parents a harsh dose of reality: that their children are sluts, druggies, thieves and fat slobs.
Schools will be responsible for what happens to students during and after school. According the report, Ofsted inspectors will judge schools using a number of criteria, making UK schools accountable “for children’s safety, enjoyment and happiness.” That means although using meth and sleeping with Jim, Joe and Bob may make kids happy, it will be reported.
The UK government decided to take this drastic step in an attempt to lower the country’s teenage pregnancy rate, which is one of the highest in Europe, and to decrease drug use. Last year, a government survey found that one in seven children (aged 10 through 15) in England had used drugs.
But not everyone agrees with this plan. Teachers are outraged that they will be held responsible for something in which they have no control.
Translation: Parents may now be off the hook when it comes to their children’s behavior and naughty activities.
Teachers, who have one of the toughest jobs, are being forced to add more onto their already heavy work load. When I was in school, I didn’t listen to my teachers because I didn’t care. I thought I was grown and could make my own decisions. But at home I knew who was in charge: my mother. And this is the case for most kids. You know the most your teacher could do is give you detention, but your mother could whoop your butt.
This plan needs to be revamped. There has to be another way to lower pregnancy rates and drug use. If anything, parents need to collaborate and work with teachers to reach out to teens. Everyone involved in a child’s life, including teachers, doctors, counselors, and coaches are responsible for that child, but to put all the responsibility on the teachers is just plain wrong.
3 responses so far ↓
brunettekoala // May 14, 2008 at 9:15 am |
This seems really silly. Why should schools be accountable for what happens after school? Surely this is what parents are for?
Calculating these kind of statistics is not going to do anything to reduce drug use, teenage pregnancy…
The only thing that will make a difference is changing culture, and that will take years.
UK Voter // August 28, 2008 at 4:46 am |
This government is obsessed with targets, legislation and interference. They need to try and engage and the first part of this is to listen, then they can try and educate rather than preach.
kylie // March 15, 2009 at 3:52 pm |
that is absolutly the most stupid thing ive ever heard, one if a kid does drugs or drinks how is the teachers or parents going to find out if they dont get caught,? thats is not going to lower anything,