Modern British Schools: Pupils Promised Gadgets “If they Behave”

The utter collapse of the British schooling system after decades of Tory and Labour misrule is quickly reaching a zenith, as news comes that pupils have been promised electronic gadgets as rewards “if they behave.”

Pupils will be offered TVs, PlayStations and iPods in return for good behaviour as part of a reward points scheme expected to be operating in 1,000 secondary schools within two years.

Tens of thousands of pounds are being spent on prizes to cajole pupils to turn up on time to lessons and behave when they get there.

Truants and classroom troublemakers can get in on the act simply by demonstrating improvements in attendance or behaviour. Children can earn a PlayStation by performing well in school.

The collapse in society’s norms and values is reflected in the fact that children are being led to expect prizes for good behaviour that would previously have been considered the norm.

The scheme is already operating at half a dozen secondary schools and the outfit behind it — Vivo Miles — has been inundated with inquiries.

At least 200 secondary schools are expected to be operating it by September next year and 1,000 by the end of that academic year. A version designed for primary schools is also in the pipeline.

Pupils are given an online account, which allows them to check how many Vivos they have been awarded, and a credit-style card they can use to access their accounts at special kiosks.

Schools typically spend between £2 and £20 per pupil a year to take part in the scheme.

Rod Boswell, assistant vice-principal at Westminster Academy and a key player in developing Vivo Miles, said: “Schools have always had awards.” His school spends £3,000 to £4,000 a year on prizes.

Barnfield South Academy, in Luton, spends £10,000 to £15,000 a year on prizes.

Anastasia de Waal of think-tank Civitas, said: “The whole point of going to school is to come out better educated with more opportunities — pupils need to recognise that in itself is valuable.”

Could the shift in school standards be linked to the demographic shift in the student body, where in many schools large numbers of pupils are now of Third World origin?