Costs of Education - 1

The Daily Express earlier this month reported on costs imposed on education by parents and others seeking financial compensation for injuries to children. The compensation culture has extended even there.

The Paper surveyed 150 education authorities in England, of whom 131 answered the Freedom of Information request (- were the others concealing something?) Those replying paid out £1,765,790 in settling 399 claims in 2007-08. This figure does not include "defendant costs"in any cases the educational authorities decided to contest, which could take the figure over £2 million, despite the fact that many claims are not contested in order to keep costs down. There may be some "ticking bomb" claims still to be presented, as any school age injury claim runs out of time only when the "child" reaches 21.

The largest claim was for nearly £49,000 for a child in Bradford whose arm was burned on a radiator pipe. Bradford also paid out £4,000 for a child who hurt his wrist when a classmate pushed him out of a toy car. Derby City Council paid out £500 for a pupil who fell off an inflated space hopper!

Many of the claims are for bumps and scratches which used to be regarded as part of the process of growing up, and have been blamed on all sides as sheer greed. Those who claim seem to be indifferent towards the point that any money paid out has to be paid by others and could have an adverse effect on the education of other children.