Do not undermine improvements, warns NUT Cymru
Wales' largest union for qualified teachers has warned that introducing fines for parents risks undermining the good work being done to tackle truancy. NUT Cymru says there has been a steady decrease in truancy, culminating in figures published today showing the highest level of attendance in primary schools since the Welsh Government started collecting the data. The Union fears that introducing fines now, as proposed by the Welsh Government, will lead to a breakdown of relations between schools and parents, increasing truancy in the process.
Wales Policy Officer, Owen Hathway, said;
"We welcome the figures published today which clearly illustrates the progress that is being made. The fact that there has been an improvement in attendance across all Local Authorities is especially pleasing.
"We know truancy can be a big issue and that is why there has been such a focus on tackling it. This has to be done in a collaborative way that engages parents. That cooperation is critical to the process.
"What we do not want to see happen is the introduction of fines, administered in a way that will inevitably lead to a breakdown in the relationships between schools and parents. In the long term, that will not only undermine the work being done to reduce truancy, but also create further problems for schools and communities. We need to invest in strong support systems and build on the work that is being done, rather than risk undermining it."
Contact: Owen Hathway, NUT Cymru, Ty Sinnott, 18 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff CF24 5PJ. Tel: 029 20491818. Mob: 07921 146 442
e-mail: cymru.wales@nut.org.uk
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