[Acrylic-bob]

Perhaps, as well as being an argument for a more authoritarian approach with offending brats, this is also an argument for parenting skills to be taught as part of the national curriculum - to correct the deficiences of home education?

I do think that there is a distinct lack of cohesive thinking in our children's education and the fact that so few of them are aware of the history of their own town is, frankly, shocking!

How can we expect them to have respect for cherised institutions, the rights of others and their responsibilities as citizens if we do not teach it to them?

I was wandering around Priestly Clough the other day and came out behind Hollins School. What a mess! Despite all the rote learning about preserving the environment, and the school's signing up to the Council's recycling drive, the area at the back of the school is a sea of discarded sweetwrappers plastic pop bottles and metal drinks cans. But then, it's all very well trying to teach kids to be clean and tidy but what else do you do with an empty crisp packet when there isn't a rubbish bin in sight?

It is the apparent disassociation from the values and ethics of the community that is seen in
many children that I find truly worrying.