Children shouldn’t be made to feel excluded at such a young age simply because their attendance doesn’t meet an arbitrary threshold set by schools. Every year, schools host fun days meant to reward students for their attendance, with the idea being that consistent attendance reflects commitment and responsibility. However, including only those children who meet a 96% attendance or higher – regardless of the reason behind any absences – is exclusionary and unfair, especially for children as young as 4 or 5 years old.

Imagine a child recovering from a necessary operation or a young family needing to travel for a significant occasion, only to return to school and find themselves excluded from the festivities. It is disheartening for these children to see their peers participating in fun activities while they are left out, not because of any fault of their own, but because life happened.

Academic research has shown that punishment does not encourage better attendance and can often lead to further disengagement from school. Instead, schools should focus on positive reinforcement and inclusivity, ensuring every child feels part of the community, no matter their attendance record. According to data from [insert source], motivation for regular attendance improves when all students feel included and valued.

We propose that all children, regardless of their attendance records, be included in school fun days. Let’s shift the focus from punishment to encouragement by celebrating the efforts and resilience all children demonstrate just by attending school.

Sign this petition to urge schools and education authorities to reform their policies and make attendance celebrations inclusive for every child, ensuring no young student feels left out. By signing, you are supporting a more compassionate and understanding educational environment for our young learners.