Ogilvy backs truancy database call

United Future education spokesman Bernie Ogilvy today welcomed the call of a group of North Island truancy officers for a national database to track children’s attendance at school, saying it had been United Future policy for some time.

“This coal-face thinking very much validates our policy. These are the men and the women who deal with truancy every day. They know it and they understand it and their voice needs to be heard,” Mr Ogilvy said.

He said the call further casts harsh light on the fact that a database was in Labour’s manifesto going into each of the last three elections, but has not been moved on.

“This issue needs tackling now. It is a base level commitment to the education of our young people and the Government will continue to lack credibility until it delivers it."

In addition, United Future has called for District Truancy Services and the Non-Enrolment Truancy Service to be merged, with the resultant organisation given increased funding.

“It would then work more closely with schools to ensure that they respond quickly to truants before each case develops into a more entrenched problem.”

Mr Ogilvy said the investment of funds would be money well spent.

“Getting kids back into school goes along way to keeping them out of prison and off benefits later on.”

Ends.

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