Call for UK parents to be punished for children's misbehaviour

31 July 2005
PAT

Parents who refuse to take responsibility for their children's behaviour in school should be punished say members of the UK Professional Association of Teachers.

Representatives approved a motion at their annual conference demanding ministers take action against or provide support for parents of children who persist in disruptive behaviour or who themselves threaten or abuse members of staff. The motion further demanded schools be given the powers they need to discipline or exclude disruptive pupils or to transfer them to appropriate alternative facilities.

Ann Nuckley, a school administrator from Bacon's College in south London, said Ofsted inspectors had found discipline in schools was getting worse, and said "poor parenting fosters lack of respect and no manners".

Teachers believe abusive parents have bred a generation of children who think shouting and swearing in classrooms is normal.

According to Ms Nuckley, the drive to give parents more power has made it increasingly difficult to deal with the most disruptive parents.

"Poor parenting fosters a lack of respect and no manners. No wonder that having no guidelines, children enter education with limited knowledge about appropriate behaviour."