Anti-war pupils to face crackdown

Schools are ready to crack down on pupils who miss classes next week to attend anti- war protests during President George Bush's three-day visit.

Despite warnings not to skip lessons, pupils are co-ordinating a series of "school strikes" using text messages and internet message boards. Some anti-war groups are urging pupils to walk out of school on Wednesday to protest against Mr Bush's state visit at a rally in Parliament Square. They also hope pupils will attend the main demonstration the next day, which will culminate in a statue of Mr Bush being toppled in Trafalgar Square.

Politicians and headteachers have condemned the groups as irresponsible and warned pupils that any unauthorised absences from school will be treated as truancy.

Tim Collins, the Conservative education spokesman, said: "It would be disgraceful if children were permitted or encouraged to leave lessons to attend this demonstration. Anti-Americanism is not on the national curriculum and if teachers are condoning this behaviour it is they, not their pupils, who should be looking for something else to do next week."

(more)

http://education.independent.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=463862

'Tis unfair that the Queen and Tony are the only ones to enjoy junior and his highly esteemed company at the Royal Feast while the commoners are to be restricted and must eat cake.

Someone should propose it to her.



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Maybe their teachers are teaching them to think for themselves!

what is going on should certainly be part of their civics lessons and a damn important part.

I hope. I don't think the World hates the US, mostly just Bush.

Then it will become antiAmericanism.

The Dr. Strangelove agenda is cranking along.

The school I went to about six months ago had a policy that said protests were counted as excused absences (I lived in a really REALLY liberal and politically active area...only 5% or so of the school body supported the war). Then the principal, after implying that the absences would be excused, told us the day that a school protest was to be held that they were to be unexcused. That prevented a large number from going (though 150 or so still attended...in the rain) as the school has a policy of five unexcused absences = failure. Also, anyone who was in sports would be unable to attened any practices that week if they attended the anti-war protest.

Funny that the class I would've been missing was NSL (National, State, and Local Governments).

Shave their heads and send them to Iraq? Go Kids go.

Can't wait until the whole world loves Big Brother.

sufficient, both in the UK and the States.

than most of their school days, I'll wager.