Many times, parents, we shut up when we disagree with activities organized by the school for fear of pointing to our children, or simply for comfort. But a mother decided not to shut up about what does not seem educational for her six-year-old son.
The public school of the Junta de Andalucía attended by his son organized an excursion to El Corte Inglés de Mijas, Málaga, for children in primary school. The mother did not find it appropriate to pay a visit to a mall, since he considers that it only encourages consumerism, and more in these dates near Christmas, so he decided to send them this great answer.
In the circular sent to the parents they are informed that they will visit for two teaching hours, from ten in the morning to twelve, some departments such as electronics and toy stores. And in addition, a writing workshop and a breakfast will be held in the cafeteria, which will be free.
Upon receiving the circular, the mother considered a trip to a mall very inappropriate, especially in dates close to Christmas, and did not hesitate to respond to the center with these words:
”I don't think it's a suitable excursion for children from 6 years to two months of Christmas. I don't think it's educational or fun. Any family residing in Fuengirola knows El Corte Inglés and I don't think its facilities are a museum to go on an excursion. And last and most important, very stressed, I think it's pure consumerism and marketing, something that I totally refuse to involve my son with 6 years having many beautiful places to visit. I try to instill values in life and teach a different and beautiful world. My son is not advertising!! Thank you."
A user shared the mother's response on Twitter and soon became viral.
When a public school organizes a shit outing and a mother replies how she deserves (seen on Fb) pic.twitter.com/CwDhIY5GMy
- I am a bot (ijo) (@CaosAzucarado) October 28, 2017
Parents hope that our children's excursions with the school are cultural or educational visits, that they can contribute something that really enriches their learning. The toy and electronics section of some department stores only encourages consumerism and the need to accumulate toys, which is not really what makes children happy.
You can always refuse to let your child go, but the mother preferred to take the job of sending them an answer because of what she thinks is not positive for her son or for the other children.
Update 10/30/2017: Given the enormous dissemination of the mother's letter, CEIP Andalucía has decided to publish the following statement:As a representative of Colegio Andalucía, in response to such unfortunate information and statements that are totally unfounded, without really understanding their intentions and that they are taking place through some means of social networks, I want to state the following:
The activity referred to, is part of a program belonging to one of the three integrated teaching units, planned for the first cycle of Primary, which have their timing and are carried out, therefore, in the first quarter of the course, of which parents are aware, as they have been informed in recent prescriptive meetings with families. The project in question is entitled "I visit the shopping center" where, as the name implies, all the contents worked from the different areas, focus on this center of interest, including issues such as education for responsible consumption. The "visit to a shopping center" is requested and requested by the teaching team and does not obey the initiative or offer of any entity to the College.
Is about a visit that is voluntary and optional, contemplating the educational attention in the center of the students that does not attend and that, in addition, has been carried out the last two years and as it is prescriptive, once carried out, it is valued by the teaching staff, which also takes into account what the parents themselves and participating mothers have been able to express them. All this is documented in the evaluation of the visit, precisely, in order to see if it adapts to the educational needs and demands of the center and if in the future it must be carried out again, modified or eliminated. In this case I have to say, that this activity was valued very positively last year.
Everything is likely to give rise to diverse opinions in one way or another, but they must be accompanied by truthful information and arguments that give them strength. At no time, an opinion can be based on incomplete or unsubstantiated information and much less build fallacious arguments, which can help other people to organize their own opinions, as these will also be conditioned by the same lack of rigor.
At no time have normal channels been followed to express and communicate the disagreement with this activity to any of the agents involved, such as tutors and tutors, individually or collectively during meetings with families or at the Center's own address.
Under no circumstances can offense, insult or derogatory treatment be tolerated towards the College, its staff or families, and everything it represents as a public institution.
The center has organizational autonomy to develop the activity and Decree 328/2010 allows it. The fact that a person does not like it well, does not justify his attitude, as it is reiterated, that it has been democratically approved by the competent body.
Francisco José Gutiérrez González
Director of CEIP Andalucía
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