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Parents 'must help cut truancy' Parents 'must help cut truancy'
(30 minutes later)
Parents have been reminded of their duties in getting children to school as figures show more than 6,000 may be playing truant every day in Scotland.Parents have been reminded of their duties in getting children to school as figures show more than 6,000 may be playing truant every day in Scotland.
The statistics showed the overall rate of attendance was 93.3% in 2008/09, almost unchanged from 93.2% in 2007/08.The statistics showed the overall rate of attendance was 93.3% in 2008/09, almost unchanged from 93.2% in 2007/08.
This was an average of 43,000 absentees a day and the Scottish government has produced a guide stressing the "active role" parents must take in attendance.This was an average of 43,000 absentees a day and the Scottish government has produced a guide stressing the "active role" parents must take in attendance.
Deprivation and support needs were also identified as factors in attendance.Deprivation and support needs were also identified as factors in attendance.
The rate of attendance for primary schools was 95.2%, 95.1% in 2007/08.The rate of attendance for primary schools was 95.2%, 95.1% in 2007/08.
The rate for secondary schools was 91.1%, 90.9% in 2007/08.The rate for secondary schools was 91.1%, 90.9% in 2007/08.
With overall attendance remaining relatively stable, we know more needs to be done Keith BrownMinister for Schools Parent help needed on truancy
On average in secondary schools each pupil was absent for just under three-and-a-half weeks, while in poorer areas absence amounted to an extra 14 days.On average in secondary schools each pupil was absent for just under three-and-a-half weeks, while in poorer areas absence amounted to an extra 14 days.
The number of pupils with a 100% attendance record had improved to about 6.6%.The number of pupils with a 100% attendance record had improved to about 6.6%.
Minister for Schools Keith Brown said: "It is great news that more pupils are getting 10 out of 10 for attendance. This shows that progress is being made. However, with overall attendance remaining relatively stable, we know more needs to be done.Minister for Schools Keith Brown said: "It is great news that more pupils are getting 10 out of 10 for attendance. This shows that progress is being made. However, with overall attendance remaining relatively stable, we know more needs to be done.
With overall attendance remaining relatively stable, we know more needs to be done Keith BrownMinister for Schools
"That's why we are publishing this booklet which will help make sure all parents are aware of their responsibilities around their child's attendance at school.""That's why we are publishing this booklet which will help make sure all parents are aware of their responsibilities around their child's attendance at school."
He said parents and schools had to work together to make progress.He said parents and schools had to work together to make progress.
'Deep concern''Deep concern'
Labour education spokesman Des McNulty said: "These figures are of deep concern. Scotland needs our children to be in school learning and developing their skill, not out on the streets."Labour education spokesman Des McNulty said: "These figures are of deep concern. Scotland needs our children to be in school learning and developing their skill, not out on the streets."
He said truancy would drop if there were efforts to tackle illiteracy among children.He said truancy would drop if there were efforts to tackle illiteracy among children.
The Liberal Democrats said that if children had poor attendance records and were missing out at school, this could carry on further into life and hit their employment prospects.The Liberal Democrats said that if children had poor attendance records and were missing out at school, this could carry on further into life and hit their employment prospects.
The Conservatives called for radical measures to improve school discipline.The Conservatives called for radical measures to improve school discipline.
Schools spokeswoman Liz Smith said: "When it comes to persistently unruly pupils, we need to take them out of mainstream education and teach them in separate Second Chance Centres until they know how to behave."Schools spokeswoman Liz Smith said: "When it comes to persistently unruly pupils, we need to take them out of mainstream education and teach them in separate Second Chance Centres until they know how to behave."