Survey discovers significant number of teachers rewarding children with sweets, writes PETER CANN

The information website Netmums has announced the results of a survey in which they asked mothers if their children got sweets given as rewards by teachers and whether or not they were happy with this practice.

They received 2,581 responses and 27 per cent of mothers told them that their children were given sweets by the teachers. As there are around five million children in state primary schools, this practice could potentially be affecting more than 1.4 million primary schoolchildren.

Almost three-quarters of parents said they would prefer teachers to use another form of reward.

They said it also contradicted the healthy eating message and they would be prefer to be in charge of when their children are given sweets. There were also concerns about dental health, allergies, intolerances and hyperactivity.

Netmums is a family of local websites set up and run by mothers. Each website covers information on places to go, things to do, education, child care, and community, social and employment issues. Cathy Court, director of food and nutrition at Netmums, said: "Giving out sweets as rewards seems to be an issue that parents do feel strongly about, but has not been brought to the attention of schools. Parents often feel they don't want to cause a fuss by complaining, but as so many parents are against it, head teachers and governors should be discussing this with their teachers."

One parent said: "How on earth do they justify this? It's horrible, especially when some mums have rules about when sweets can be eaten."

Another parent said: "I am a dental nurse and very concerned over sweets if given to my child without permission - my child's dental health is my top priority."

While a teacher said: "As a teacher and a mum, I know there are many more effective ways to get the best out of children. Bribery never works long term, makes those who may miss out feel bad and sends the wrong message."

The National Union of Teachers understood parents concerns, saying: "The National Union of Teachers welcomes the survey. The union appreciates that parents are concerned by the use of sweets as rewards to pupils for good work, effort or behaviour in school and would recommend that schools should use rewards which are not damaging to children's health, particularly to their teeth.

"The NUT has issued guidance which advocates that teachers, support staff, governors, parents and pupils themselves should all be involved to make sure that healthy eating messages are promoted."

Netmums would like to see teachers use alternative methods for rewarding and encouraging their pupils. They will be working with the NUT and the School Food Trust, established by the Department for Education and Skills to improve the quality of food in schools, to ensure that they pass this message on to teachers.

You can read the full results of the survey on www.netmums.com