Yes—and sometimes, we should.
Collective punishment is never fair. Whether it’s a cancelled field trip, lost recess, or a group consequence that quietly targets one child, it’s a form of institutional harm that shifts responsibility away from adults and onto children—especially those already struggling.
If your child was punished as part of a group, even though they did nothing wrong—or because they were having a hard time—you can appeal the decision.
In BC, public school families have the right to file an education appeal when a decision negatively affects their child’s education, safety, or well-being. That includes decisions that:
- Deny support or accommodations
- Impose exclusion through group discipline
- Blame a child for behaviours rooted in unmet needs
Appealing won’t always change the outcome. But it puts your objections on record. It tells the district: we see what happened—and we don’t accept it.
Even if you’re exhausted. Even if you doubt it will make a difference. An appeal is more than paperwork—it’s a form of resistance.
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