Opposing Commercialism in Schools

The Department of Education and Science insist that parents should not be told to direct their spending towards any particular product or company. (Circular 38/91) Yet many commercial schemes seek to generate “pester power” among school children to influence household purchasing decisions. Parents are faced with their child being the only one in his/her class not producing the vouchers that the principal is collecting. Pre-prepared letters accompanying commercial schemes remind parents just how much this scheme means to the children and urge them to get friends, relatives and even work colleagues directing their purchases to the sponsor. Parents already fund the education system through their taxes and voluntary donations.

We believe the quality of education available to your child should not depend on where you shop or what newspaper you read.