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Sussex 'send ill kids to school' campaign sparks anger Sussex 'send ill kids to school' campaign sparks anger
(about 5 hours later)
A council is facing a backlash after telling parents to be "pushy" and send their ill children to school.A council is facing a backlash after telling parents to be "pushy" and send their ill children to school.
An East Sussex County Council (ESCC) campaign says: "Putting your foot down isn't always easy but 100% attendance should be every parent's goal.An East Sussex County Council (ESCC) campaign says: "Putting your foot down isn't always easy but 100% attendance should be every parent's goal.
"Unless there's a genuine reason for your child to be absent, be a pushy parent and get them to school.""Unless there's a genuine reason for your child to be absent, be a pushy parent and get them to school."
The campaign has been described by parents on social media as "outrageous, patronising and utterly misjudged".The campaign has been described by parents on social media as "outrageous, patronising and utterly misjudged".
The council posted on its website: "A minor cough, cold, sore throat, headache, or just feeling tired doesn't always mean a day off school. The school will send your child home if they think they are struggling."The council posted on its website: "A minor cough, cold, sore throat, headache, or just feeling tired doesn't always mean a day off school. The school will send your child home if they think they are struggling."
There are already 175 non-school days a year and children will "miss vital hours of learning" if they do not attend school every day, the authority adds.There are already 175 non-school days a year and children will "miss vital hours of learning" if they do not attend school every day, the authority adds.
'Hostile' campaign'Hostile' campaign
Anett Poscai responded on Facebook: "I love this approach. Especially when mums bringing their feverish, sick child in and asking teachers to administer the medication to make kids push through the day."Anett Poscai responded on Facebook: "I love this approach. Especially when mums bringing their feverish, sick child in and asking teachers to administer the medication to make kids push through the day."
Jemima Keys posted: "Seriously, who approved this campaign? I saw this on the side of a bus and honestly could not believe it...Could you be any more hostile and unapproachable ESCC?"Jemima Keys posted: "Seriously, who approved this campaign? I saw this on the side of a bus and honestly could not believe it...Could you be any more hostile and unapproachable ESCC?"
Meanwhile, Rowan Huggins said on Facebook: "This is an outrageous, patronising and utterly misjudged campaign."Meanwhile, Rowan Huggins said on Facebook: "This is an outrageous, patronising and utterly misjudged campaign."
In November 2017, a campaign by the same council telling parents to send children to school if they have colds prompted more than 6,500 signatures to a petition against its "aggressive, condescending and insulting" message.In November 2017, a campaign by the same council telling parents to send children to school if they have colds prompted more than 6,500 signatures to a petition against its "aggressive, condescending and insulting" message.
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