Some schools just don’t get it! Their job goes beyond education. They are looking after people’s kids! Schools are duty bound to actually look after the safety of their students (as opposed to just saying they do in a catchy but meaningless slogan). They must understand that parents don’t give the responsibility of having others look after their kids lightly. It’s not like giving over the keys to your car to the valet. It’s a huge deal.
That’s why schools must do their utmost to earn the confidence and respect of their parents. They must be actively protecting the students whilst also communicating regularly with parents. To have a school issue a dictate that all students wear baggy clothes to ward off probable paedophiles is a disgrace! How is a parent supposed to take that advice?
Furious parents yesterday criticised a school after they were asked to buy their children baggy clothes to deter paedophiles.
King’s Park Secondary School, in Glasgow, asked parents to ensure modesty in their children’s uniform in a bizarre letter which claims sex offenders may be taking pictures of schoolboys in tight trousers.
The letter, dubbed ‘paranoid in the extreme’ by one parent, was sent home even though police say there have been no incidents of schoolchildren in the area being targeted.
And children whose parents fail to conform to the approved dress code could be forced to miss out on fun school trips.
The letter says: ‘We believe an appropriate school uniform protects children from being targeted by sexual predators.
‘There is recent evidence in south Glasgow of adults photographing schoolgirls in short skirts and schoolgirls/boys in tight trousers, then grooming them through the internet.
‘We must do all we can to keep our children safe. A modest school uniform is more appropriate than fashion skirts, trousers or tops.’
The crackdown on pupil attire has been slammed by shocked parents whose children don’t want to obey the strict rules.
One blasted: ‘There is no way an ugly uniform is going to deter a predator and determined sex offender.
‘This is just paranoid in the extreme. There are better ways to safeguard children than spreading needless panic.’
Another added: ‘It is laughable to think the uniform can act as some sort of paedophile-repellent.’
The tough new policy forces cash-strapped parents to shop from an approved list of items available only at high street store Marks and Spencer.
Girls can wear only knee-length pleated skirts or trousers and boys loose-fitting trousers.
Tags: Education, Education Policy, Family, King's Park Secondary School, life, Modesty, News, Parenting, School, School Rules, Schools, Uniform
Topical Teaching 
June 1, 2011 at 11:19 am |
Wow! I am completely flabbergasted! It appalls me any time anyone or any institution uses fear to try to control others. I’m glad that parents are standing up against it and not following blindly.