School attendance of 23 children being monitored

THE school attendance of more than 20 children, whose parents were given final warnings six months ago about possible prosecution, is still being closely monitored.

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) issued school attendance notices to the families of 23 pupils last March in cases where repeated intervention had failed to lead to improved attendance.

The board is obliged to take formal action if a student misses more than 20 days in a school year. But in most cases, the situation is remedied quickly, often with the intervention and assistance of other social and community services.