Parents' Declaration from AHEd

[Ali P]

WE DECLARE our independent status and affirm our responsibility for the upbringing and education of our children in accordance with our lawful rights and natural justice.

WE ASSERT our right to choose the place, form and content of the educational provision for our children in accordance with the following:

The parent of every child of compulsory school age shall cause him to receive efficient full-time education suitable—
(a) to his age, ability and aptitude, and
(b)to any special educational needs he may have, either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.

(Section 7 of the Education Act 1996)

In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions.

(Protocol 2 Article 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights)

WE WILL protect the rights of our children to own their own lives, to privacy and freedom from undue official interference in accordance with the following rights:

The right to respect for a private and family life, home and correspondence

(Human Rights Act 1998)

The right to be free from “arbitrary or unlawful interference with [their] privacy, family, home or correspondence” and from “unlawful attacks on [their] honour and reputation”.

(Article 16 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)

WE DEMAND that state officials remain within the bounds of the powers already conferred upon them under current law in their dealings with us, the people.

WE WILL UPHOLD AND DEFEND the above principles without fear or favour where the state forgets its legitimate function, oversteps its bounds or seeks to exert undue influence or power over our lives and those of our children against our traditional freedoms and natural justice.

May 1st 2009

You may sign up to AHEd's Declaration here . Alternatively, please post a message in this thread or email AHEd.

[suzywoozy]

Hi Ali

Obviously I agree with this, but can't find anywhere what the purpose is of this, or what it may be used for, just thinking about telling our local group members about it, and what questions they may have.

Perhaps you or Barbara may be able to tell me.

Thanks

Susan

[Ali P]

Originally Posted by suzywoozy

Obviously I agree with this, but can't find anywhere what the purpose is of this, or what it may be used for, just thinking about telling our local group members about it, and what questions they may have.

Hopefully someone from AHEd will be along later to respond to this query directly, but my own understanding is summarised in the News piece that was published earlier today on the front page of the site.

In highlighting the existing legislative and regulatory framework, the Declaration reminds the State of its responsibility to act reasonably and proportionately in its dealings with individuals and that ultra vires practices will not be tolerated.

[OrganisedPauper]

Hi
just to let you know that when you create an account to sign up to the Parents Declaration it might not work straight away as accounts have to be manually approved. So if you've had no success, do please try again.

It's done this way to make sure signatures are legitimate and to stop abuse of the comments box, because we want this declaration to be taken seriously.

http://ahed.pbworks.com/ParentsDeclaration

I think there's also going to be a printable one on the site to send to MPs, interested parties.


BWs Elaine

www.ahed.org.uk The Action for Home Education Group.

“We all know what happens to those who stand in the middle of the road — they get run down.” - Aneurin Bevan

[Ali P]

There are now 111 signatories to the Parents' Declaration, which can be signed online on the AHEd wiki.

If anyone wants to sign up but doesn't want to use the wiki, please let Barbara know and she will add your name.

If someone wants to sign who doesn't have internet access, please just confirm with Barbara that they are known to you and want their signature added.