MP questions fate of 500 children

By STUART DYE education reporter



The Labour Government has lost track of hundreds of children who don't attend school, says Act New Zealand education spokeswoman Deborah Coddington.

In the past two academic years, more than 500 children referred to truancy specialists have not been found.

"These figures are a damning indictment on Education Minister Trevor Mallard," said Ms Coddington.

When in opposition in 1999, Mr Mallard promised to create a national database to find children not in school.

The Government had failed in its promise, said Ms Coddington.

"If we are serious about giving our children the best possible start - and we are - then we must move urgently."

Of 6499 children referred to the Non-Enrolment Truancy Service (NETS) last year, 244 could not be found. In 2002, 6251 children were referred and 272 could not be located, according to Ministry of Education figures.

Ms Coddington said the figures could be much worse.

"Truant kids are only looked for if diligent teachers and principals notice their disappearance and alert NETS," she said.

A spokeswoman for Mr Mallard said creating a database had proved more difficult than first thought.

It was taking time to develop a computer system that could be used by all 2700 schools.

The database was part of an $8.6 million package, announced in October, to tackle truancy.