Post by cenydd on Aug 8, 2013 18:15:50 GMT
A report for the Welsh Assembly has advised dropping plans for fines to be introduced for the parents of truants.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23602603
Is imposing fines on parents a good or effective method for dealing with truancy? Is it something that other countries have used successfully?
Plans to allow councils to fine parents of regular truants from school should be dropped, say assembly members.
The threat of fixed penalty notices of up to £120 are due to be introduced next month although ministers do not expect them to be issued for a number of months.
The children's committee inquiry found no support and it said ministers should look for "positive alternatives".
Ministers say the fines would be only one of the tools available to councils.
According to official figures, the average truancy rate for secondary schools in Wales in 2011/12 was 1.4%.
Nine local education authorities (LEA) had higher rates, with the worst being Cardiff at 2.7%.
Although overall absence rates have been slowly decreasing each year since 2005/06, ministers say more needs to be done.
The threat of fixed penalty notices of up to £120 are due to be introduced next month although ministers do not expect them to be issued for a number of months.
The children's committee inquiry found no support and it said ministers should look for "positive alternatives".
Ministers say the fines would be only one of the tools available to councils.
According to official figures, the average truancy rate for secondary schools in Wales in 2011/12 was 1.4%.
Nine local education authorities (LEA) had higher rates, with the worst being Cardiff at 2.7%.
Although overall absence rates have been slowly decreasing each year since 2005/06, ministers say more needs to be done.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-23602603
Is imposing fines on parents a good or effective method for dealing with truancy? Is it something that other countries have used successfully?
