School charging for broken equipment

JodyBPM

In all honesty, if my child had broken an expensive piece of equipment at school, regardless of their age, and regardless of circumstance, I would offer to repair or replace it. Just as I would offer to repair or replace something of a friend/neighbour/anyone else that my child broke.

Given that this boy's dad is in IT and *could* actually have repaired or replaced it at a reasonable cost, I'm quite surprised that they didn't offer. Why was that? Did they not feel that they, as parents, were responsible for the damage that their son caused?

I can't think of any circumstance where my child broke something where I wouldn't feel responsible for its repair/replacement.

erdd2

JodyBPM wrote: »

Given that this boy's dad is in IT and *could* actually have repaired or replaced it at a reasonable cost, I'm quite surprised that they didn't offer. Why was that? Did they not feel that they, as parents, were responsible for the damage that their son caused?

Errrrrr this was addressed by op...they were not informed.....

thorsoak

What surprises and saddens me on this thread is the actual number of people who can make excuses/think up reasons as to WHY the boy should not take responsibility for his actions.

He is 14 years of age - and we all know that 14 year-olds know far more than the average MSEr about the use/abuse of laptops/i-pads/note books et al. He aunt said "It was not done maliciously but probably through absentminded boredom. My sister still however punished him. "

He - and his parents - are now learning the lesson that all actions have consequences. Maybe if his father had enquired when the deed was done whether he could in any way repair/replace the item, that offer might have been accepted. But now they will never know.



that

Desperado99

erdd2 wrote: »

Errrrrr this was addressed by op...they were not informed.....

yes, but....

My nephew immediately told his parents and was very upset that he had broken the screen.

So the parents knew immediately.

erdd2

Bunting wrote: »

So the parents knew immediately.

but as you say....from the child, not from the school regards the incident, policy intentions.

JodyBPM

erdd2 wrote: »

but as you say....from the child, not from the school regards the incident, policy intentions.

Why does that make any difference.

They knew that their child broke something, and IMO should have immediately offered to pay for its repair or replacement. They shouldn't have waited to be sent the bill before realising that it was their responsibility to pay.

I don't think that the need to be responsible for one's child's actions only kicks in once you have been informed officially that you will be sent a bill for it. You are responsible because you are and paying for a repair/replacement is the right thing to do.

Spendless

dizziblonde wrote: »

I find it hard to believe that ANYONE can use the "I didn't know my child was going to be using expensive equipment" and express shock that kids (gasp) use computers and stuff at school these days!

PS... they also use that newfangled pencil and paper stuff as well now instead of those slates or tablets of rock and a chisel.

I didn't know they used computers in maths lessons. I'm old enough to remember laughing hysterically when we heard that a lower year would be allowed to use calculators in maths to the point we asked the teacher if it was true. Fair enough my eldest doesn't start Secondary school till next month, but I wasn't expecting more than the boy grunt I've got for the previous few years when I ask what he's been doing.

Oldernotwiser

Errata wrote: »

a) the child immediately told the teacher the netbook broke

I'm sure the child told the teacher the "netbook broke" but what he really meant was that he broke the netbook!

Oldernotwiser

erdd2 wrote: »

Errrrrr this was addressed by op...they were not informed.....

Yes they were; the OP said "My nephew immediately told his parents".

bestpud

awkward_aunty wrote: »

My nephew immediately told his parents and was very upset that he had broken the screen. It was not done maliciously but probably through absentminded boredom. My sister still however punished him.

My question was not to solicit advice on parenting it was just to establish if parents should be included in the process of punishment not just sent an invoice 2-3 months later. His father works in IT and could have fixed it himself for cheaper. Are they replaced new for old? Does the teacher negate all responsibility for the actions of children in his/her class. The netbook was just a cheap low spec one.

I am amazed how many of you think you can just insult him and my sister. He is a good lad who did something stupid and felt bad and was punished.

Did they contact the school at all, to ask about it?

Why should the teacher take some responsibility? Could you clarify why you feel they are to blame for a 14 year old acting in that way?

I doubt he shouted about it. More likely he sat at his desk, very quietly and decided he was bored so he'd squeeze the screen. How could the teacher have seen that coming - more so if he is such a 'decent lad'?

I'm also wondering how owning up negates any consequence? There is any number of reasons why he'd own up straight away, but the most likely is he wasn't able to use the net book any more! What else could he do?

Lastly, my guess is he was told to expect a bill and that is why he got in first with his parents. I can't imagine he wasn't told that they'd be contacted.

After all, he clearly doesn't discuss school in general, or they'd know they use net books, especially if his dad is in that line if business (they clearly aren't strangers to IT, are they?) Seems funny that a child with parents who clearly take little interest in his school day as a rule, would volunteer information like that.