Plan to crack down on classroom truants

CLASSROOM truants are to be brought to book under a major new plan to cut absenteeism in schools.

The crackdown will involve more carrot than stick, however, as officials seek to encourage pupils back to their desks rather than punish parents for neglecting their children’s education.

The three-year plan will be unveiled today by the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) in what will be its first long-term strategy since it was set up 18 months ago.