Mum calls out school over $7000 cost of excursion: 'Stop telling kids before parents'
By Merryn Porter |
P?arents of school-aged children know it seems like schools are always asking them to put their hands in their pockets.
Whether it is for books, technology costs, sport or school excursions, there is always an extra cost parents are asked to cover.
Now a mother in the UK has called out her son's school over the cost of a two-week excursion, and the practice of "selling expensive trips" to students before telling parents.
The woman, who goes by the user name emma_lou_ on TikTok, took to the platform yesterday to complain about the AUD$7,000 cost of the trip her eldest son's school was planning.
In the video entitled "Unaffordable school trips", the mother-of-three from Essex said she had to share the experience because "I can't believe this."
"I've had an email from the school this evening about my eldest going on a trip for two weeks in 2024 to an amazing part of the world, but it's ?3500," she began.
The woman went on to say while she does "everything for my kids" and will work "two, three, four jobs if I have to to pay for this trip," not everyone would be able to afford it.
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She said the UK was "in a mess right now" and there were going to be "plenty of families who cannot afford this sort of money to go on a school trip."
But her biggest gripe was with the fact the school had already told students about the trip.
"I don't think it's fair for the kids to already be briefed about this amazing trip before the parents," she said.
"Can't the parents be informed first and then the families who can make ways to be able to pay for this trip, then the kids get told about it?
"Do it the other way around. I don't think it's fair. Not with kids at that age."
She uploaded the video with the comment, "Can schools stop 'selling' expensive trips to the kids BEFORE informing the parents. We suffer enough parent guilt as it is," and the hashtags #parentrant #expensivetrip #schooltrips #parentguilt #mumguilt #dadguilt #mumrant.
The video has gone viral, racking up more than 1.2 million views in just one day as well as 174,000 likes more than 3000 comments.
Commenters were quick to have their say, with many backing the mum.
"I totally agree with you. It puts more pressure on families, that quite frankly don't need any more at the moment," one said.
"I don't think they should run trips like that at all. Some kids don't have money for breakfast!" said another.
Other agreed parents should be spoken to first.?
"100 per cent agree with you! Schools absolutely have to tell parents... actually ASK parents first before the kids."
But others argued children who couldn't afford to go would still find out about the trip.
"I understand it's a ridiculous price but surely only telling kids that can afford it would isolate the others? I mean kids do talk to each other," said one.
Many agreed the cost of the trip was exorbitant.
"?3500. Where are they going? The moon?" said one, while another said, "Back in my day a school trip was to a museum gallery or a farm."
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