Education secretary Estelle Morris has today hosted a behaviour and discipline summit which discussed the government's plans to deal with the problems of truanting pupils.

Government funds will be made available to introduce electronic registration systems in some secondary schools so that pupils can be tracked throughout the school day.

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "I welcome joined up thinking on tackling truancy but you cannot solve the root causes of disaffection by simply removing the symptoms.

"The government's recent actions to support teachers faced with unacceptable pupil behaviour are a positive start but progress can only be made if parents are involved. Unless parents value education, truancy sweeps will be a cosmetic exercise."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, General Secretary of the Professional Association of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "We welcome these measures. As a teachers' union, PAT is obviously deeply concerned by current levels of truancy and disruptive behaviour.

"Pupil behaviour is a key issue influencing teachers to leave the profession as well as dissuading graduates from becoming teachers.

"The recruitment and retention of teachers will not improve significantly unless the behaviour issue is addressed by early, appropriate, therapeutic intervention, instead of by punitive measures which come too late. Properly resourced learning support units are vital if we are to keep disruptive pupils off the streets, out of trouble and in education.

"Teachers need the support of parents, the media and society in general to help to resolve pupils' problem behaviour. We need to engage parents more in education and encourage them to foster in their children a greater respect for schools and education, and a desire for, and a love of, learning. Playing truant or indulging in disruptive behaviour must not be seen as 'cool', but as blighting youngsters' future success in life.

"Young people who truant need to be clear that parents, the police and teachers are working together in children's best interests to make sure their time is spent appropriately in school.

"Members of the public should be encouraged to play their part too, by informing schools and the police of young people they suspect are truanting. Public workers, bus drivers, shop keepers and so forth could question youngsters using their services in school hours."

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Julie Grant, president of ATL, told ePolitix.com: "We welcome this action by Estelle Morris, which follows calls at our conference last month for better protection from assaults on teachers in the classroom."

"We are pleased that our conference has had this result. Hopefully this positive action will make life easier for teachers, and ultimately easier for parents and pupils too."