Record warnings over school absences

A RECORD number of legal warnings were issued to the parents of children who failed to attend school last year.

The National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) has revealed 319 School Attendance Notices (SANS) were issued in 2009, while at least two parents jailed.

The NEWB also issued 76 new court summons – also an annual record – while another 73 summonses were brought forward from the previous year.