HEAD teachers have criticised new government targets that could result in them being held accountable for teenage pregnancies and pupils’ drinking and smoking habits.
The Association of School and College Lecturers said that expecting teachers to regulate such issues could interfere with their core task of educating children.
The union also criticised excessive government interference and a tendency to “micro-manage” the daily activities of schools.
The criticisms are contained in an association report on school accountability which raises profound concerns about the Government’s radical reform of the child protection system.
Under the proposed Every Child Matters agenda, which was prompted by the Victoria Climbié abuse inquiry, local authorities are to be made accountable for a wide range of welfare targets.