Hindsights 20/20, I know. In this case I believe I would consider this situation a home-invasion situation with threat to the family's welfare - and responded accordingly.
This would not be a legal action in Canada. Family and social services here are government funded and directed. Police would not apprehend a child without a family court order under these circumstances. Homeschooling of children is permitted here and a board of education guideline is provided to the parents by the ministry of education for the province. This is not to say that government in any way encourages homeschooling but they do not target parents who choose to educate their children this way. The provincial ministry of education even provides resource help to such parents.
I never considered homeschooling an option for my children. I did look into Christian school option but the cost was too prohibitive. That left me with the public school route. In sending my children to the public school I attended the local school board office and demanded a copy of the school course for that grade. When something came up that was objectionable I would be down there in their face demanding answers and redress. If I did'nt like the answers I would go down to the board office or contact the minister of education for the province. The school is to assist the parents to educate their children (that means input from the people paying the bills) Parents should not adopt a subservient role, you must fight for your rights or the taxpayer funded government school system will walk all over you. Parents must take the time to learn how the system is set up and how they can get input. The local school board told me that my son would have to take French up to grade 10. He did not want to take highschool French as it was a struggle to get a passing grade in grade 8. I called the school, they said it was a required subject to grade 10, I advised it was not and suggested a substitution subject and advised them to check with the local board if they had a problem and if they could not handle it I would involve the minister of education for the province. Within one hour I had a phone call from the principal advising me he had contacted the highschool and the change had been made. When discussion of origin came up I demanded equal time for creation, had the teacher called down to the principals office to meet me and answer why this topic had come forward at a grade 3 level when it was not in the course outline and demanded an apology to my son who had his spoken views trampled on by an atheistic teacher. If you use the public school system, demand your rights, know where you stand, be in their face when you have to. The school system is intended to assist you in the education of your children while you go to work.
"Dad, I don't want to go to school today.," said the boy.
"Why not, son?"
"Well, one of the chickens on the school farm died last week and
we had chicken soup for lunch the next day. And three days ago
one of the pigs died and we had roast pork the next day,,,."
"But why don't you want to go today?"
"Because the English teacher died yesterday!"
"....."
"아빠, 나 오늘 학교 가기 싫어." 하고 소년이 말했다.
"왜 가기 싫어?"
"지난 주에 학교 농장에서 닭 한 마리가 죽었는데 다음날 점심으로
닭 스프를 먹었어. 그리고 3일 전에는 돼지 한 마리가 죽었는데
그 다음 날에는 돼지 불고기를 먹었고...."
"그런데 오늘은 왜 학교에 가기 싫어?"
"어제 영어 선생님이 돌아가셨단 말야!"
"....."
How would you deal with thugs breaking into your home to steal your children? Does it make a difference if they're wearing a costum? ie. police uniform? Does flashing a shiny piece of metal make it all OK?
To the police: As government becomes more oppressive you will be ordered to deny people their basic rights. You will be ordered to harm innocent people, take property that does not belong to you or the government. We are all responsible for our own actions, being ordered to do something does not relieve you of any moral obligations.
