Parents enraged as truancy law forces them to face action

PARENTS have reacted angrily to letters from schools warning they will be reported to the authorities if their children miss any more classes.

They have been receiving letters from schools informing them that under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, which came into effect last September, the names of parents whose children miss 20 days of school will automatically be forwarded to the authorities for investigation.

Many of the letters have been received by parents whose children have already missed 15 school days this year and it warns them that if the child misses another five days, parents will face action from the social welfare and truancy officers.