An Incentive to Go to School ?

If you thought that schools are insulated against corruption and bribery, be prepared to read this about a school in UK which is offering students a family holiday as a 'carrot' to attend classes.

The prize-a holiday for a family of six to the Isle of Wight-has been offered to the Rhyl High School students.

The school said it was partly the reason why attendances have risen from about 80 per cent to the most recent figure of 94 per cent.

But the prize was yesterday condemned as a 'bribe' by one Assembly Member (AM).

The holiday donated by a pupil's family and not from school funds, is among a series of measures to entice youngsters to lessons.

Other incentives include trips to the cinema, theme parks and swimming pool.

"I'm pleased taxpayers are not funding this sort of nonsense," the Daily Mail quoted Clwyd West AM Darren Millar as saying.

"It's clear in law parents are required to send children to school. Bribery is not the best way to get children to go to school. Getting better grades and better outcomes should be the way forward," said Millar.

On the holiday idea, a Rhyl High School spokeswoman said: "After careful consideration it was decided it would be good to use it as an extra reward by putting names of pupils with 100 per cent attendance into a draw at the end of the year.

"The pupils are voting with their feet and enjoying coming to school, they are even upset if they are ill and have to go home.

We recognise though that not all pupils can achieve 100 per cent (attendance) so smaller rewards are offered throughout the year," she added.

Source: ANI