To think the school have got this very wrong?

[anerki101]

Had an email from my child's school this week regarding the World Cup. The council have decided that they want to celebrate the World Cup so will be allowing the first game to be shown in school for every one to watch. They added that because of the human rights concerns with the host nation they would ask the kids to wear their football kits or team colours and bring in a donation for amnesty International.

AIBU to think this is wrong? If they are concerned about the human rights issues then surely boycotting the World Cup and NOT showing the game is the the best thing to do? Very happy to donate to amnesty but I still think allowing the game to be shown is a mistake.

I say this as a football fan who looks forward and watches the world Cup but won't be this time.

AIBU to think this is wrong? If they are concerned about the human rights issues then surely boycotting the World Cup and NOT showing the game is the the best thing to do

If they ignore it then how can they raise awareness?

I think that the school are being reasonable.

When teachers told GS's tutor group she said she didn't understand why it was happening so I don't think she has any interest in watching it. GS, in year 13, explained that most of the boys in the year were planning on going over to the local pub to watch it so this meant they stayed in school.

My DD is a teacher, she'd much rather be teaching than watching football, well she'd rather be doing anything than watching football.

It doesn't seem likely that all school staff are doing this for their own convenience. Maybe some are but we don't know that.

I don’t think it’s being sanctimonious to object to these matches being shown in school. The logical conclusion is that this will happen for every tournament in which the home nations are involved. I understand football is important to many people. Equally, there are many who have no interest in it whatsoever.

The football authorities made a grave error in allowing it to go ahead in that country anyway. If people are interested, there are numerous opportunities to watch on catch up. FIFA could and should have had a different venue, for a number of reasons.

"Ruin your kids' childhood"? Seriously? Over not watching a football match?

Also tbh I'm pretty pleased that my own kid has grown up giving a shit about other people and not regarding "having ethics" as "bullshit".

I find it extraordinary that the school thinks they should be showing an international football game during the school day. Never mind the other issues. I would complain about that. Maybe if England was in the final that could be justifiable ...

I think the World Cup is the world cup there is no reason for it be part of the school curriculum. I am of the view in general that schools promoting an endless stream of charity and raise awareness days is not an ideal situation. Many families feel under obligation to give money that they may not have or to causes they do not agree with. I count children in need and Red Nose Day in this - the money raised is given to large number of organisation and these are not always clear.

I understand that schools want to promote compassion and awareness - years ago when maybe fewer charities exited with clearer messages it worked but I feel there is constant pressure now . Schools are there to deliver the curriculum.

Yes, I find it odd that they are allowed to watch a normal group game. A final would be different.

All this is true, too. There are better organisations to give money to, if you are interested in human rights.

I'm not sure that's what they're telling out 7 yos tho, just ooh there's football and England might win!!

Issues about Qatar aside - I don't think the school should be showing football matches at all TBH.
Do they show Wimbledon, Cheltenham cup, Golf Masters, The ashes, Cowes week (sailing), Gymnastics championships???? ..... NO? The how can they justify showing just the football????

Spot on! It is easy to pick and choose! Manchester City is owned by a Sheikh and no on screams "Blue murder" every time they play!

Local school are finishing at lunch to watch it. Boycott or not I don’t get the need and we can’t all just stop working.

I agree. The UK teams will be supported - no one is going to miss the games. And maybe that is right. How many sport competitions would we be able to have if they depended on all countries sharing absolutely the same standards and customs as other countries? Most countries can have the finger pointed at them for something. Should we give up international sports?

This.

Yes depending on where you live, team colours could be.... combative.
I think we're meant to be doing something about Germany (our country of selection) but not football based as such just cultural. Given we're got CiN today and RochStars next week, we couldn't fit in another OOU tbh

@buttercream2022 - I'm sure you will get ravaged for this comment, but I could not agree more!

HNRTT but regarding the school, their calculation may be better to lose two hours than a whole school day from fake illness. Regarding Qatar, I'd not realised every previous venue and subsequent venue had an excellent reputation regarding human rights with an international consensus on propriety. Where was the last? How well do all the next hosts perform?

This.
Are they going to show the match if they progress? How much time is going to be wasted?
Not everyone is interested in football.
Plus the fact that this is such a contraversial venue too. I'd be keen to keep a distance from it in a school context. Donations to AI as a sop is just ridiculous too.

Agree!

Schools should not be 'telling' parents which charities to support. Amnesty International are not an uncontroversial organisation, I find their position on women's rights utterly reprehensible. I would object to the school on this basis, personally.
Families can make their own choices of charities that align with their values. Schools should not be advocating for charities subject to controversy.

Thing is do you buy all your clothes ethically , not fly , never visit many other countries that have similar rules etc if not then its hard to just pick this one thing and boycot if your not doing the rest

@NotQuiteHere why is it stupid ? Because you don't like it
Its a form of entertainment so therefore not much different than a theatre show , or a movie

Schools have been doing this for decades

Not round my way they haven't - at least not for the first match, though it's sometimes happened for the final

And it might be "only once every 4 years" purely for the World Cup, but not when we include the Euros, domestic championships and even - god help us - key league matches

All it means is that (likely multiple if not a majority) of the school staff/teachers want to watch the match themselves so this is their way around it.

I answered this earlier on in the thread. No one can do everything. We do what we can.