A mother of two, Cassyanne Clark from England, has sparked controversy by removing her daughters, Bug, eight, and Bunny, nine, from full-time education, likening school to a “prison.” Cassyanne disagrees with the traditional school environment, the lessons taught, and the overall curriculum, leading her to take this drastic step.
Cassyanne, who believes that children should not be confined to classrooms, stated, “A child sits in a classroom for eight hours a day, being told not to speak to the person next to them, to put their hand up, and not allowed to go to the toilet freely. They get one hour a day in sunlight.” She feels that children learn more from the outside world than from sitting in a classroom, focusing on subjects they might never use again.
To supplement her daughters’ education, Cassyanne spends between £400 to £500 a month on private tutoring. Her daughters also engage in various activities such as cooking with their grandmother, swimming lessons, and occasional workbook exercises. She believes this approach offers a better quality of childhood and a more holistic learning experience.
Cassyanne emphasizes the importance of life wisdom and fun over traditional education. She remarked, “I think a child would learn more from the outside world rather than sitting in a classroom learning about things they will never use again.” She is committed to teaching her children essential skills like reading, writing, and social skills, arguing that long hours in school are unnecessary. “Apart from knowing times tables, anything else—Algebra, etc.—you can Google or do on a calculator,” she said.
She also values experiences over conventional learning. “I think teaching a child to jump on an airplane and travel the world is more important than sitting in a classroom,” she added. Despite not having GCSEs herself, Cassyanne considers herself “very intelligent” and is open to helping her daughters achieve qualifications if they wish. She has even contemplated sending them to private school in the future.
Cassyanne’s decision has garnered support from many who share her views. One commenter stated, “Schools are the biggest fail! They don’t learn or teach from any of it! Couldn’t agree more!” Another parent shared, “Mine are in year four and five. I took them out last year and never looked back!”
However, not everyone agrees with her approach. One person shared their mixed feelings, saying, “I love this… but my mum allowed me to drop out of education after my GCSEs 25 years ago, and I wish she had encouraged me to stay on.”
Despite the mixed reactions, Cassyanne remains firm in her belief that her approach is better for her children’s mental health and overall development. She cherishes the time she spends with her daughters, stating, “Whilst my girls still have me living and breathing, they can have me every day because one day I am not going to be here.”
Cassyanne’s unconventional approach to education continues to stir debate, highlighting the ongoing conversation about the best ways to educate and nurture children in today’s world.