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)