Schools use texts, email to track truants

Schools have finally caught up with the technology their students are so savvy with, and are using it to track down truants.

Some schools have introduced an automated computer system which sends text messages or email alerts to parents asking them to explain why their child is not at school, the Dominion Post reported today.

Parents can then reply with a reason their child is away from school or confirm they are wagging.

The Government has described the approach as an "innovative" way to reduce the serious truancy problem.

The computerised initiative was run by private companies and one Wellington high school estimated it would cost $6000 a year.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has instructed ministry staff to start surveying schools next month to gauge national truancy rates and brief her on the fight against non-attendance.

The last survey in 2006 showed that up to 30,000 children were cutting class each week.

One Wellington school, Wainuiomata High School has said since using the scheme their truancy rate had halved.

But other schools that used a similar scheme piloted in 2004 dropped it amid little evidence it reduced truancy rates. Officials are unsure how many schools are now using the text and email system.

- NZPA