7. HEKIA PARATA (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What progress has been made on the Government’s commitment to tackle school truancy?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
This Government is committed to addressing school truancy. I am happy to report that focused action and a boost in funding—that is, for the Non-enrolment Truancy Service—have reduced the number of students not enrolled in school from 3,416 in January this year to 2,192 today. That is a fantastic reduction of 36 percent. In addition the time taken to re-enrol students who have not attended school for the past 20 days has also decreased by 14 percent over the last year. This is a fantastic start.
I am pleased to advise that last week the Ministry of Education released long-requested guidelines for schools on the management of non-attendance and, where necessary, the prosecution of parents who fail to ensure that their children attend school. The ministry will also fund schools to undertake such prosecutions where necessary. Schools have been asking for this for years; this Government has listened to them and acted.