Mum sparks debate with claims schools should ban snow days
A mum has divided the Internet after claiming schools should stay open in the snow.
Kerry Davies appeared on ‘Good Morning Britain’ today to debate whether children should be given time off school when the weather turns Baltic.
Snowfall and freezing temperatures have forced the closure of many schools across the country, with thousands of children being granted snow days after the wintry conditions set in earlier this week.
For some parents their children’s school being shut presents an opportunity to get out and enjoy the snow, for others, however, an enforced snow day presents a childcare dilemma because many are unsure whether they are entitled to take time off work in such circumstances.
Mum-of-two, Davies, who appeared to debate the issue alongside Kerry Katona, argued that schools were often too quick to shut their gates when snow falls.
Explaining that she dreads snow days she said: “I have had to take my youngest to work with me in the past and my argument is if I can get to work the teachers can get to work.”
She cited an example last year when the UK was hit by snowfall her youngest’s school closed she managed to take a round work trip in the snow from Cheshire to Wales with her seven-year-old son in tow.
“I think we’re just a little bit premature sometimes, we see a snowflake and we become a snowflake,” she added.
She went on to argue that schools should try to stay open no matter what.
‘We see a snowflake and we become snowflakes.’
Kerry Davies argues schools should stay open on a #snowday no matter what. What do you think?#snowmageddon pic.twitter.com/XwXwnJ61g2
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 1, 2019
Kerry Katona on the other hand argued that children should be able to enjoy ‘making memories’ when snow forces school closures.
The debate massively divided viewers, with some people disagreeing with Davies that schools should stay open, arguing that it was a safety issue for both staff and children.
Surely teachers have a right to safety aswell? I had to travel in a 3 hour journey instead of my usual 20min journey and it was ridiculous!! In this weather safety has to come first!! Children should be kept tucked up at home!!
— Ami M (@littlepinky36) February 1, 2019
Other than snow there is :
no heating
no water
buses cant get out
No access in rural places
School dinners not getting in
It isnt just having a snow day worry is once in cant get home and all or some of the above That lady is only responsible for her kids not hundreds— Ann Petford (@Treggie) February 1, 2019
I think she’s being ridiculous. They don’t close for a ‘few snowflakes’ staff often have to drive in through dangerous conditions. I think it’s more a case of she doesn’t want to be inconvenienced.
— Lyndsay (@justlyndsay) February 1, 2019
Others, however, agreed that schools were too quick to close their gates when snowfall hits, with many citing examples of schools staying open in all weathers when they were growing up.
She is right – you can ask anyone from the older generation – in the 60’s it snowed every year – and for longer than now – so of course we were used to having to walk several miles to school when the buses could not run.
— alison pannell (@alison_pannell) February 1, 2019
Totally agree – never shut when I was a kid. In fact, we still got chucked outside at break time and make some great slides and had epic snowball fights! Too many ‘snowflakes’ around today ruining everything 😡
— Derek Lyttle (@DelBoyLyttle) February 1, 2019
Some viewers offered the viewpoint that modern parents could be contributing to the problem.
Parents are the problem – I am guilty of being part of this generation of parents and I hold my head in my hands. We look to blame others for our issues, we work too hard, we expect too much and look for praise for being a parent!!! Just get on with it!!!
— Outside Spaces (@outsidespace_s) February 1, 2019
What do you think?
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