Posted by Howard Richman on May 06 2008 at 08:41:43:
An article by Tristan Stewart-Robertson posted yesterday at a Scot newspaper site (scotsman.com) reports that a surge in bullying in the schools is behind the increase in home education in Scotland. Here is a selection:
INCREASING numbers of pupils are being withdrawn from state schools to be educated at home with large numbers blaming a bullying "avalanche", according to new figures.HowardThe number of youngsters taken out of the state system in Scotland has doubled in five years, from 352 to 632, according to 26 local authorities who responded to a Freedom of Information request....
Alison Preuss, of Scottish home education charity Schoolhouse, said a large number of parents inquire about taking their children out of the school system in the run up to a new school term. They see youngsters become stressed at the prospect of returning to school and parents are desperate for other options, she said.
The mother of three said: "A lot of enquiries come from parents that are pretty desperate and are looking at home education as a last resort. Bullying has resulted in an avalanche of inquiries each year – the school system has a lot to answer for....