Gypsy girls leaving school early, unable to read or write

[dave50]

On the program on TV last night about the gipsy girls being taught dress making, we were told that a lot of them were unable to read or write because they left school at the age of around 12 years old. I thought it was a legal obligation in this country to send your children to school until they are 16, so how do these people get away with it without being prosecuted?

[boxtops]

It is the law, but you have to catch 'em first.

[sandyRoe]

You'd hope that by 12 a child could read and write. When the gypsies were travellers their children probably slipped through the net.

[Tilly2]

I don't know why they don't get prosecuted but maybe it's because they move on after a while and the children get 'lost'.
However, even if they leave at the age of twelve, they should be able to read and write.

[ChuckFickens]

It could be possible to leave school at 15, but that's beside the point really... however, where do you send somebody to do something about it when there is no permanent address?

Also, they should be able to read and write by 12!

[venator]

I suspect "cultural sensitivity" may have something to do with it.

The Romany Council has a good barrister...

[boxtops]

This is so right - many youngsters can read and write reasonably well by age 7 - I guess it may be because those skills are not considered important by their parents, whereas to most of us, written communication is really important. It means they can't even text or make a phone call - I hadn't thought of that before, these progs never show them with mobile phones, which seem glued to the hands of most other youngsters these days.

[boxtops]

..they don't use the NHS that much, flip - they are a hard to reach group.

[sunny-dave]

There is also an argument (albeit a contentious one) for saying "why bother chasing them" - they pay nothing into society so why should we expend time and money trying to enforce something they don't want/need.

[RATTER15]

I don't think it is a legal requirement to send your children to school, I think they can be home taught?

I'm not sure that would apply in this situation though!

[Tilly2]

Having taught in a school where there was a permanent traveller site in the catchment area, I do know that at Parents' Evening the Mums did all the talking and the Dads said nothing.
All Mum was really interested in was 'Can they read and write? The answer was usually, 'No, they are falling behind because they are having too much time off.'

[sandyRoe]

In the run up to the recent Dale Farm evictions much was made of the fact that the children had settled in a local school. If they weren't learning the 3 R's what were they doing to pass the school day?

[venator]

What with all the hand wringing about womens' rights and equality, you'd have expected a major campaign to free these deprived girls.

They must be among the most deprived, downtrodden male dominated people in the country.

Does any MP speak up for them?
Are there any votes in it?

No to both questions, I think... <]:-)

[sandyRoe]

Where is the Redgrave family when its needed?

[ummmm]

It's not a legal requirement to send a child to school. They do have to be registered with the local authority as home schooled.

[RATTER15]

Thanks ummmm, I imagined there were some controls in place.

[boxtops]

That's probably contributory then, they don't have any one local authority to register with, they move about all the time.

[johnny37]

If they are home schooled the local authority has to inspect them by law, so I dont think it happens They dont get inspected for anything (including tax evasion) except to make sure they are claiming enough benefits. Ive always wondered why travellers dont aspire to the professions or trades like normal people.

[cathfromsaron]

IF i left school at 12 i would have been able to read, write and tell the time nonetheless!

[B00]

From what i've seen and read about the traveller culture, I can sort of see why they place such little significance on education. All women are in this culture are homemakers and baby makers- don't need GCSE's for those!