AIBU to think that this is political and should not be supported by a state school

[FlamingoCroquet]

(I have name-changed as this is very identifiying to any other parents or teachers from the same school. But I've been on here for 8 years)

DC's primary school informed us in the newsletter that the school is supporting a scheme to provide aid - specifically a backpack of items - to unaccompanied boys age 11-17 at the Jungle camp at Calais, in partnership with an organisation called Calais Action. They are asking parents/children to donate. This is to coincide with Refugee Week.

I'm very uneasy about this. I don't want to get into an argument about the whole migrant/refugee debate, but I feel that this is a political action and should not be supported by a state school. I am not against helping refugees in general, and would not complain if they were raising money for the Red Cross or Medicins Sans Frontieres. But I have major misgivings about supporting a group called Calais Action.

I'm thinking about emailing the school governors to raise my complaint, but I'm reluctant to be seen as that person who is anti-charity, when my DD has several years left at this school. What do you think?

Oh, of course- now I think about it. That makes perfect sense.

Op- why do you think it's political?

Definitely not political. An 11 year old child struggling without the basics of life is not a political issue.

Tell you what, OP. Read this article (trigger warning for rape and sexual abuse of children) and then decide whether you're happy for the school to help these children.

Wow. In what way is it political to provide school equipment for a child who has nothing?

I would much prefer to send bags of 'stuff' than cash that could be spent on other things or take an age to trickle through to the people that needed it. At least with backpacks, presumably with lists of what will actually be helpful, you know that stuff may actually come in useful for the people in the camp.

I'm a bit astonished that you don't understand why this is political.

They are not 'being kept' there. They have chosen to go there, because they are trying to get into the UK. That is a political issue. They could claim asylum in France. Refugees are supposed to claim asylum in the first safe country they get to. France is not a war zone.

Why do you think they are in the majority boys? Is it because boys are more desperate to get away from a war torn country than girls are? What about all the old people, disabled people, people who can't afford to pay people smugglers? Why should we reward the people who are young and fit enough to travel across Europe?

I know you won't agree with me. But that's the point. This is a political debate. And a state school should not support a political cause.

To the person who said 'just ignore if it bothers you' - it doesn't bother me because I'm being asked to donate, it bothers me because the school is supporting it. I don't mind if anyone supports Calais Action in a personal capacity. That's fine, go ahead. But not a school.

Yabu. I think they tend to get more donations of kids and womens items too, so older boys and mens items are probably in short supply?

thinking about emailing the school governors to raise my complaint, but I'm reluctant to be seen as that person who is anti-charity, when my DD has several years left at this

Hopefully not everyone is anti-charity like you at your daughter's school. Youre not being forced to donate are you? So don't take part. Let the people who do care do what they want.

I still dont understand why it is specifically boys who will benefit and not unaccompanied children.

they choose to be there. you choose not to donate. simple and everyone is happy except the children starving in the mud

All of the political debate is irrelevant. It doesn't matter whether you think they should be there, it doesn't matter whether you think they should claim asylum in France or if you think they should be allowed into the uk. They are there and they are in need. Giving them support and protection for as long as they happen to be there is humanitarian not political.

They are still children! Unaccompanied children... Maybe they just followed others,maybe they didn't know what do or where to stop,maybe they were told where to go by their families.You said ages 11-17... 11!! How much choice do you think an 11 yo would have?All your reasons become ridiculous when you talk about children tbh,and that's why it's NOT political. If you were talking adults between 20-45 i could see your point. I wouldn't agree with it but i could see it.

I believe it's mainly boys as they are sent by their family to earn money to send home as they seen as stronger, more able to cope alone and not at risk of rape or harm (as untrue as I expect that is).

Op - you need to look up 'political' in a dictionary. Neither the school nor the charity are trying to change laws or government policies.

I assume due to culture/religion girls of that age would not be left/sent unaccompanied?

Despite what you say it is humanitarian rather than political. You would look fairly awful to complain about it. Just don't take part if you don't want to.

OK, let me put this another way.

Have there been debates about the Calais camps in Parliament?
Yes.
It's a political issue.

Of course its political, FlamingoCroquet! The fact that it is a charity is neither here or there. Lots of charities are political, and some of them are plain dodgy. I'm sorry, alot of Mumsnetters are very naieve.

I would feel tempted to complain myself to the governors, because it is such a political issue and not appropriate for a primary school IMHO. However, you do run the risk of being seen as difficult as you say. Nevertheless, you have the right to do so. Hopefully your concerns would be treated in a more grown up way than on MN, but I wouldn't count on it .

How do unaccompanied children physically get from Syria to Calais? Genuine question.

Neither the school nor the charity are trying to change laws or government policies.

Yes, the charity are.

Even if your political views were fact, rather than opinion, on refugees, and they were all camped out with banners declaring themselves as benefit tourists, the fact remains the school are simply trying to help children who have no homes or families right now.

OP I think you are looking at it from a very western perspective. These children, they are children, scared ones at that, are not given a choice by families and they do not come from countries with lots of options for their future. They have to do as their family tell them. They are not offered:
a). 6th form at school
b). Vocational college
c). Apprentice as an electrician
d). Travel alone with nothing to protect you or comfort you with strangers to horrific conditions and then get stuck in Calais for 5 months
And then they choose option d. Please don't be naive. This is their only option and they are young, frightened and need support. Just worry about teaching your children humanity through refugee week and the school plans. Don't over think the politics.

I believe it's mainly boys as they are sent by their family to earn money to send home
Then they're not refugees!

YABVU, they are children

Please give us some examples of international humanitarian charities which you consider to be apolitical.