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21/09/2005
Truancy figures rise
The number of pupils playing truant from England’s schools has increased, the latest government figures have revealed.
The Department of Education figures for 2004/05 showed a 0.07% increase in unauthorised absences in England’s schools.
The rise takes the truancy figures to their highest levels since 1994, in spite of the government spending almost £1 billion to combat the problem.
Schools Minister Jacqui Smith said: “It is disappointing that a stubborn minority of pupils, estimated at 8,000 in just 4% of secondary schools, remain determined to jeopardise their education and their futures through persistent truancy.”
Ms Smith launched a new scheme to combat truancy, to coincide with the release of the latest figures. The new scheme will target 8,000 ‘serial truants' and place their parents on a ‘fast-track’ to prosecution.
Under the scheme, parents would be given 12 weeks to improve their child’s attendance at school or face the prospect of a maximum fine of £2,500 or three months imprisonment.
Shadow Education Secretary David Cameron said that the truancy situation was getting worse. He said: "These figures are dreadful. The Government has spent nearly £1 billion on tackling truancy and yet it is getting worse. They need to realise that simply throwing money at the situation and re-announcing initiatives is not going to solve the problem.
"The Government's proposals to 'fast track' parents of serial truants have been announced before - and have clearly not been very effective. On the Government's own measure truancy is worse than ever. Simply re-announcing gimmicks is clearly not going to be the answer."
Mr Cameron suggested that home school contracts and greater flexibility within the curriculum could help the situation.
(KMcA/MB)
The Department of Education figures for 2004/05 showed a 0.07% increase in unauthorised absences in England’s schools.
The rise takes the truancy figures to their highest levels since 1994, in spite of the government spending almost £1 billion to combat the problem.
Schools Minister Jacqui Smith said: “It is disappointing that a stubborn minority of pupils, estimated at 8,000 in just 4% of secondary schools, remain determined to jeopardise their education and their futures through persistent truancy.”
Ms Smith launched a new scheme to combat truancy, to coincide with the release of the latest figures. The new scheme will target 8,000 ‘serial truants' and place their parents on a ‘fast-track’ to prosecution.
Under the scheme, parents would be given 12 weeks to improve their child’s attendance at school or face the prospect of a maximum fine of £2,500 or three months imprisonment.
Shadow Education Secretary David Cameron said that the truancy situation was getting worse. He said: "These figures are dreadful. The Government has spent nearly £1 billion on tackling truancy and yet it is getting worse. They need to realise that simply throwing money at the situation and re-announcing initiatives is not going to solve the problem.
"The Government's proposals to 'fast track' parents of serial truants have been announced before - and have clearly not been very effective. On the Government's own measure truancy is worse than ever. Simply re-announcing gimmicks is clearly not going to be the answer."
Mr Cameron suggested that home school contracts and greater flexibility within the curriculum could help the situation.
(KMcA/MB)
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16 April 2012
Truancy Fines Should Come Directly From Child Benefit - Report Says
A government advisor on school behaviour has said parents of children who are regularly play truant should have their child benefit cut. Behaviour tsar Charlie Taylor has said the cut in child-benefit should be used to directly pay truancy fines in a crackdown on absenteeism.
Truancy Fines Should Come Directly From Child Benefit - Report Says
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More schools gained 'specialist' status
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03 October 2003
Parents face £100 fines for truant children
Parents could face fines of up to £100 if their children persistently play truant from school, according to a consultation paper published today. Guidance to ensure effective use of new powers to tackle criminal and anti-social behaviour, and truancy and misbehaviour in schools, has been published for consultation today.
Parents face £100 fines for truant children
Parents could face fines of up to £100 if their children persistently play truant from school, according to a consultation paper published today. Guidance to ensure effective use of new powers to tackle criminal and anti-social behaviour, and truancy and misbehaviour in schools, has been published for consultation today.
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