Government set to tackle absenteeism

A major new initiative aimed at tackling the problem of absenteeism has been announced.

The National Education Welfare board will be sending a letter setting out new arrangements to promote regular school attendance to schools throughout the country from tomorrow.

Education welfare officers will be appointed on a regional basis to areas needing them most.

This is the first major initiative by the board, set up in 2002 as the single national body with responsibility for encouraging and supporting regular school attendance.