IT is quite amusing that we now reward children for simply turning up for school! (Citizen, June 28).

I dare say a trip to the Cinema for a young boy who "has never skipped a day at school since his final year in primary education" is merely a publicity stunt by UCI Cinema -- what they'll do to get into the newspapers these days. When I was a girl, children went to school and that was that. And the school I attended, like many in those days, was a frightening place where teachers were strict. There was none of this softly, softly approach that you see nowadays. If you missed school for no good reason you got your knuckles rapped if the teachers found out. And that was after you'd already had a belting from your parents. And no-one got any special treats or rewards for going to school. You just did it because that is what children did.

I remember my grandmother telling me my generation was luckier than the young ones in her day who had to work long hours in the mill and down the pit to earn money for the family. I don't even think my grandmother ever learned to read or write much. She died when she was 65. So often nowadays children take education for granted and don't cherish the opportunity which has been handed to them on a plate.

I do believe a more strict, disciplined approach is needed in schools these days. And bringing back the cane for truancy would make sure more children came to school in the first place.

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