I volunteer at my local primary school. Last week a teaching assistant was made to apologise to the parents of a 6 year old child who had been asked to pick up the litter he had dropped and place it in the bin. The deputy head stood by whilst the apology took place. How is this right? Why shouldn't the child be asked to pick up his own litter. Is this not part of education and learning how to behave? Is it not about respect – for yourself, others, the environment? Is he allowed to drop litter at home, in the street, in a shop, and not pick it up?
I know I'm older than all the mums but I have brought up a very successful son and can't see how putting that teacher through something so humiliating can possibly be right. I despair if the parents are not prepared to accept that sometimes their child is not perfect. You drop litter you pick it up!