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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be furious about this, and should I report?

79 replies

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 16/12/2013 21:15

My job involves going into homes and sometimes schools.

Today the yr11's had to pay a pound to go to the show taking part in the afternoon (i believe its a talent show, some awards etc)

One lad in the group said he couldn't pay a pound. The teacher kept asking him why, and said have you got a pound?

He said yes, but it's for his dinner tomorrow.

Now it's pretty obvious the lad doesnt look well off, from his clothing etc.

Yet the teacher carried on in front of the whole class saying 'why cant you spare a pound. It's JUST a pound, stop being selfish' and kids in the class started joining in.

The boy looked so uncomfortable, it was heartbreaking. In the end he gave the pound.

Afterwards I had a word with the teacher, who still had the view that the boy was being selfish.

Was I unreasonable, and should I report it? Or would I be being silly?

OP posts:
MurderOfGoths · 16/12/2013 21:16

I'd report, that's pretty awful :(

smallandimperfectlyformed · 16/12/2013 21:16

Report it, that's horrible of the teacher - they should have more empathy than that.

drivingmisslazy · 16/12/2013 21:16

I'd report it, poor boy.

darkdays · 16/12/2013 21:17

How humiliating for the poor boy! Report it.

merryxmasyafilthyanimal · 16/12/2013 21:17

Report it! How rude

FudgefaceMcZ · 16/12/2013 21:18

Yes you should report it, that's horrible. Have not been in exactly that boy's situation but have been in the situation where a bully smashed my school dinner and as a result I had nothing to eat that whole day because unlike some kids we did not have spare cash to carry about all day. Poor kid may well be going hungry tomorrow because of that twatty teacher :(

mumofthemonsters808 · 16/12/2013 21:18

Disgusting, the poor lad.

Original poster
DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 16/12/2013 21:18

I think I might go in tomorrow. I'm also worried about him having nothing to eat tomorrow.

OP posts:
DianaOfThemyscira · 16/12/2013 21:19

Report!
That poor boy should have someone to stand up for him to say "this is not right, you do not have to put up with being treated this way" because he probably thinks it's normal, or he has no voice or power to change it.
Getting the other children to start on him as well is just awful beyond words. I feel so sad for him.

brettgirl2 · 16/12/2013 21:19

The teacher maybe knows the circumstances better than you? Year 11s looking scruffy doesn't make them poor. In fact sometimes the opposite is in fact true.

PissesGlitter · 16/12/2013 21:19

Yes report it

What a fucking prick

What is 'only a pound' to him is that boys lunch tomorrow and the chances are his parents don't have any extra so he may have to go without lunch now Angry

saulaboutme · 16/12/2013 21:20

Report her, she went too far and humiliated him. No compassion.

Shakey1500 · 16/12/2013 21:20

I'd report it definitely. And try and slip the poor lad a pound Sad

knittedslippersx3 · 16/12/2013 21:20

Not being silly at all. I would report it. Some teachers should have training in empathy. Most are lovely and caring but just a few lack the nurturing instinct sadly.

MoominsYonisAreScary · 16/12/2013 21:20

Thats awful go in and report it, I would

Original poster
DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 16/12/2013 21:21

The teacher maybe knows the circumstances better than you? Year 11s looking scruffy doesn't make them poor. In fact sometimes the opposite is in fact true

Even if he isn't poor, does she has the right to make him uncomfortable and bully him into giving money do you think?

And the boy I'm afraid to say did look obviously poor, not just 'scruffy teen boy'.

OP posts:
formerbabe · 16/12/2013 21:21

Report definitely...I have to say my heart broke reading that.

MurderOfGoths · 16/12/2013 21:22

brettgirl Possibly, but seeing as the teacher then allowed the rest of the class to join in, that's hugely unprofessional

greenbananas · 16/12/2013 21:22

Yes, report it. This teacher clearly has no idea! Poor lad Angry

I once worked with a teacher who had a go at the children who said they couldn't do their set homework because they didn't own the necessary coloured felt tipped pens. She didn't belive them, because she had no clue what real poverty and social deprivation actually meant to the children in her class. She made then feel so small. .. I was only a lowly supply TA, but reported her to the headteacher, who took it really seriously

MissWinter01 · 16/12/2013 21:22

Feel so sorry for this poor DC. I think you are perfectly within your rights to report it.

SauvignonBlanche · 16/12/2013 21:22

That's terrible! Angry Sad

DianaOfThemyscira · 16/12/2013 21:22

brettgirl the boy said the money was for his dinner, and was eventually bullied into handing it over.
Even if that weren't true that it WAS his dinner money, and he was loaded, the humiliating way he was treated should not go unchallenged.
I'd have happily given him his lunch money back.

TheRobberBride · 16/12/2013 21:22

I would report the teacher. £1 can be a lot of money to some people. There is no excuse for humiliating a child in this way.

caramelwaffle · 16/12/2013 21:23

Report. In writing. Ask for a response in writing within X amount of time and CC in relevant superiors.

Original poster
DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 16/12/2013 21:23

Right I shall go in tomorrow. I won't be able to sleep otherwise.

I hope he has a lunch pass :(

OP posts: