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Press Release

PAT STATEMENT ON TRUANCY FIGURES

21 September 2005

PAT General Secretary Jean Gemmell said: "The level of truancy in our schools is still unacceptably high. Children wandering the streets during school hours are an all too common sight. We are particularly concerned by the number of children who truant with their parents' knowledge - and even take unauthorised time off school with their parents.

"We welcome government moves to identify and deal with the most persistent truants, especially those whose actions are condoned by their parents. However, imprisoning parents could make matters worse. Parents do need to realise that they can be held responsible for their children's failure to attend school and taken to court. However, imprisoning parents should be a last resort, as sending parents to prison has an adverse effect on family life. A positive relationship between schools and parents is important to pupils' success.

"Prevention is better than cure. Reducing truancy levels isn't just about catching truants. We need to reach hearts and minds and change the attitudes of truants and their parents. Children missing school are missing out on an enormous opportunity - a free education -and jeopardising their future chances in life.

"The Government, local authorities, schools, parents and the wider community must work in partnership to ensure that pupils attend school regularly. Teachers need the support of parents. We need to encourage parents to foster in their children a greater respect for schools and a belief in the importance of education.

"The Government too must examine and tackle the underlying causes of truancy, which may mean looking critically at the curriculum diet on offer at the moment.

"Schools and LEAs need more resources to be able to follow up cases of truancy."



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