Children are being offered stickers featuring a cuddly bear as a “bribe” to attend lessons at five primary schools in Sutton.

Under the pilot reward scheme, pupils receive an achievement sticker with a paw print just for turning up at school on time.

After 30 consecutive days, they are then issued with a Be There Bear certificate for reaching the attendance target.

The scheme is intended to cut truancy but critics claim children are receiving bonuses for normal behaviour, required by law.

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real education, said: “It seems that the council has got the wrong end of the stick. Rather than doing more to punish miscreants it is handing out rewards for expected behaviour.

“The stickers are actually a bribe and, like virtually all these schemes, they are an abuse of taxpayers’ money.”

Paul Scully, leader of the Conservative opposition group on Sutton Council, said: “Good attendance at primary school is critical for a good start in life. I am sceptical whether stickers can address the underlying problems with regular truants, such as poor parenting and a lack of responsibility.

“The Lib Dem education chief’s plans to give pupils stickers may be well-intentioned, but we need to get parents to remember their responsibility for their child’s future.”

Councillor Tony Brett Young, executive member for young people, will consider expanding the pilot if it proves successful.

He said: “This scheme is about boosting already high levels of school attendance in our borough. Regular school attendance is really important in giving children the best possible chances in life. The project is part of a number of initiatives which are proving successful in encouraging perfect school attendance.”

One winner of an initial Be There Bear poster competition, Charmane Nelson, 11, said: “I really enjoyed entering the competition. It’s a good idea and great to encourage children to go to school all the time.”

Do you agree with the scheme? Let us know at suttonguardian.co.uk