Parents hit back after council bosses order them to ‘be pushy’

Parents have criticised council officials for telling them to ‘be pushy’ and send children to school even if they are ill.

East Sussex County Council said coughs and colds were ‘not necessarily a reason’ for pupils stay at home.

The ‘Be A Pushy Parent’ scheme is being promoted through different channels, including Facebook posts, bus advertisements and the council’s website.

But families have labelled the advice ‘uncaring’ and suggested the policy is just a ‘tick box’ exercise.

One council Facebook post read: ‘Putting your foot down isn’t always easy but 100 per cent attendance should be every parent’s goal. Unless there’s a genuine reason for your child to be absent, be a pushy parent and get them to school.’

The post resulted in nearly 200 angry comments from families.

One parent, Clare White wrote: ‘How dare you! Just so you can tick boxes and sit behind a desk and gather data. I recall [another] campaign telling parents to send children in to school with a headache or cold, how uncaring. I’m quite sure you’d be off sick if you felt ill. I despair.’

A council spokesman said: ‘We’re saying a minor cough or cold is not necessarily a reason to stay off school.’ Another representative added: ‘Absence from school can adversely affect a child’s education.’