I don’t know who restarted the confiscating shoes business again, but I will just say as follows.
What a child wears is the parents decision. For the school to involve itself with the clothing or footwear is overstepping boundaries.
There are two exceptions:
If the school has rules about clothing, i.e. uniform, sports shoes for sports, etc… then obviously they should enforce them – without humiliating the child.
If a child misuses an item of clothing or footwear, say he throws his shoe(s) at a teacher or classmate, then obviously it is the educators right to proceed as they see fit.
Confiscating footwear if a child comes late to school is definitely overstepping boundaries. The punishment is also out of proportion and unreasonable.
If you really want to use this as a way to get child out of bed, I would suggest parking your car within ten metres of your front door, and at whatever time that you are supposed to leave for school taking their shoes out to the car.
Always remember, a child’s ego is very fragile, and humiliating them in public is never a good idea.