Parents have been accused by the leader of the head teachers’ union of not sending their children to school with the right social skills.
David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, also accused parents of using TV and computer games as "free babysitters" instead of ensuring homework was done, for causing obesity by feeding children "an atrocious diet" and for condoning truancy, and thereby condemning their children to a life of crime.
Hart delivered the broadside against parents at the association’s annual conference. He said: "It is the attitude of these families who know all about rights but precious little about responsibilities that has to change."
He said school staff were not social workers or surrogate parents and "should not be expected to waste valuable teaching time doing the job that should have been done before the child sets foot in the school".
His comments were criticised by parents organisations.
The charity Parentline Plus said it was saddened by the remarks which would "undo much excellent work between many schools and parents to build trust and work in partnership to the benefit of children".
