Parents jailed for children missing school

Thirty parents have been taken to court and convicted so far this year for failing to send their children to school.

Although final figures on fines and sentences are not yet compiled, a number of parents were jailed for up to two weeks, after 125 prosecutions were brought in the District Court by the National Educational Welfare Board.

While three quarters of cases taken by the board this year are ongoing or yet to be heard, 30 of the 50 prosecutions initiated and finalised in 2012 ended in convictions.