They likely see little value to education given the opportunity to earn very easy money landed in their laps. She in particular has a pathetic work ethic and cannot stick to anything. Neither of them seem grafters and both have an immaturity of a pre teen, their behaviours often matching a stomping child. For the Meldrums 'earning', whether that be a salary, respect, holidays or new clothes means nothing and rewards are seen as a right rather than a motivator for an education. They think 'they've done alright' without an education', so they place little value on it for their daughters.