[the_stillness]

I was pretty naughty when I was at school. I bunked off a few times - played truant. But this is actually become a very serious situation which the government and councils are trying to tackle. I am watching a programme on ITV - Ann Widdecombe - Versus the Truants. [It is on now, if you see my post at the mo?] - so I have decided to start a topic about it. I have heard that parents can be taken to prison over this - especially if truancy continues. One girl has admitted that she only goes to School twice a week and she is very lazy. She is addicted to tv and stays up too late - so that is her excuse for not going. What can parents do really?

I thought it was great to miss School occasionally, but never went as far as some kids do. I suppose the Government had no choice really? What do you think?

[DamonJ]

I watched that, and found it very interesting. I strongly disagree that parents get sent to prison when it is the child that plays truant, well, fair enough if they are bad parents and don't care about their kids, but the good parents who give a genuine interest in their child's welfare and try to get them to school don't deserve a custodial sentence.

I personally don't think there is a solution, because you can't force them as it is against the law to use violence nowadays. It just has to go on sadly but it is the childs loss of education at the end of the day

[gracie24]

I like TV and stay up late but I go to school everyday and never played truant, my parents have always known when I've been off school and they contact the school to let them know.

With my school, if you're not registered by 10am they phone your parents and let them know that you're not in school. I think that could be a step forward if schools introduced that.

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by DamonJ
I watched that, and found it very interesting. I strongly disagree that parents get sent to prison when it is the child that plays truant, well, fair enough if they are bad parents and don't care about their kids, but the good parents who give a genuine interest in their child's welfare and try to get them to school don't deserve a custodial sentence.

I personally don't think there is a solution, because you can't force them as it is against the law to use violence nowadays. It just has to go on sadly but it is the childs loss of education at the end of the day

I know what you mean DamonJ. It is a catch22 situation whereby you are stuck in the middle - between the truant - your son/daughter and the authorities, who wish to punish the parent for not doing their job properly. The girl in that programme who was totally stubborn and basically did not want to go to School was kicking up a storm about that. There had to be some sort of physical control, but nothing over the top. Just pulling her out of that comfortable bed of hers and trying to get her to go to School. If she continues that way, the parents go to Prison. Is that the best that the Government can come up with? Perhaps some help from a social worker and a child psychologist may help? Surely parents can expect some sort of help?

Also, I would never condone any sort of violence on a child. I got hit a few times when I was young - but nothing serious, but it wasn't a nice experience - but today it is a nono, but only if reported - naturally

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by gracie24
I like TV and stay up late but I go to school everyday and never played truant, my parents have always known when I've been off school and they contact the school to let them know.

With my school, if you're not registered by 10am they phone your parents and let them know that you're not in school. I think that could be a step forward if schools introduced that.

I thank gracie that the programme we were watching, whereby that child was watching tv late and using that as some sort of excuse was an isolated incident - which can be repeated, of course. But in your case - that isn't the case, which is good. I think that the policy that your School has - in relation to the problem of Truancy is a great step forward and that could be administered throughout the country

[gracie24]

Originally posted by the_stillness

I thank gracie that the programme we were watching, whereby that child was watching tv late and using that as some sort of excuse was an isolated incident - which can be repeated, of course. But in your case - that isn't the case, which is good. I think that the policy that your School has - in relation to the problem of Truancy is a great step forward and that could be administered throughout the country

Exactly, they're using it as an excuse! And a very poor one at that!!
I don't know how it could be achieved but the people who are skipping school need to realise how important their education is, no matter what type of school they go to, where they come from, etc.

[the_stillness]

Originally posted by gracie24


Exactly, they're using it as an excuse! And a very poor one at that!!
I don't know how it could be achieved but the people who are skipping school need to realise how important their education is, no matter what type of school they go to, where they come from, etc.

A lot of truancy is brought about by bullying within Schools. If a kid in the class is getting bullied and then becomes a truant - he or she may keep that to themselves and choose not to tell their mum or dad and suddenly - the authorities come down on the parents - blame the parents and give them a summons and the real underlying reason never comes up. Also, I understand that education is important. Even more so, now they are going to make kids stay in School till their 18 instead of 16, which I think is disgraceful myself. Anyway, some kids don't hit the grade, or simply don't care and mess around in the classroom and get detentions, so for them, they don't apply

[boldjohn]

No excuse for long term truancy in this age. Bullying problems should be sorted out.

[Matt08]

A few people at my school have recently truanted alot. Their parents got fined £400. I asked the teachers what procedure takes place when a child bunks off school. They said that the parents only get into trouble if they don't co-operate with the school and try and get their kids to go. The parents who do actually attempt to do something about their kids not going to school don't get punished or fined, which is a fair way to deal with the situation I think.

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Mathew
A few people at my school have recently truanted alot. Their parents got fined £400. I asked the teachers what procedure takes place when a child bunks off school. They said that the parents only get into trouble if they don't co-operate with the school and try and get their kids to go. The parents who do actually attempt to do something about their kids not going to school don't get punished or fined, which is a fair way to deal with the situation I think.

The trouble is parents can pretend to cooperate and keep themselves off the hook.

At the end of the day children are parents responsibility and therfore should be fully held responsible for their children not attending school.

Prison is counter productive. Instead there should be ever increasing fines for repeated failed parental control over thier children.

£400 first offence and doubled every time the same offence occures. Believe me hit the pocket of parents enough and they will soon find a sudden talent at parental control. As it is both children and parents can be lazy resulting in the problems we have today.

In my young day parents and children used to fear a visit from "The school board man". Those guys enforced attendance.........Back to the old days is what's needed....