Anti-Truant Tips

 
Every day in Britain, 50,000 school kids skip classes.
They hang out in shopping centres, watch TV or muck about with their mates instead, blaming their skiving on boring classes, bullies, strict rules and overcrowded classrooms.
This worrying statistic is costing both the children and their communities dearly.
There is a proven link between truancy and crime. Out-of-control young offenders already commit seven million crimes a year at a cost of over £1billion ($1.45billion). Police and other groups are having purges in areas that the truants frequent and laws have been toughened towards parents, with heavier fines an/or imprisonment for persistent offenders. Schools are also being offered "Truancy Buster" awards of up to £10,000 ($14,500) for the biggest improvement in attendance. None of the measures are showing an improvement of any consequence. Comments on funding are along the lines of "Any Government money to help will always be welcome, but we have to look at the causes too".
Here are a few tips you can try out if you have, or know of, a child prone to truancy:
 
  1. Ask the school to give your child a homework list, updated daily.

  2. If your child constantly tells you no homework has been set, make sure you check with the school.

  3. At home, try to foster a positive attitude to school so your child will want to attend every day.

  4. Do not book term-time holidays. Your child may NOT catch up.

  5. Don't criticise teachers, or belittle your childs efforts.

  6. If your child seems unhappy, ask directly if there is a problem.

  7. If there is a truancy problem, ask for a meeting with the school involving your child, to discuss why.

  8. Join a parent support group to see how other mums and dads cope.

  9. You should be your child's number one supporter.

  10. If you are worried, contact your child's teacher rather than waiting for the next parent's evening.

The above tips are sensible and should be followed. However, the major tip has been "politely" omitted in my opinion. It is to look into the HOME life YOU are giving your child and ensure it is happy and trouble free. Make changes there if need be. ALWAYS have time to talk with your child at any time, not just when it suits, or is convenient to, you. Axiompc.

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