Media Statement For immediate release Friday, 10 October, 2003

Ogilvy: What price 83 days of missed education - $2280 or $150?

The mother of a Nelson girl facing court because the 13-year-old has missed school on 83 of 146 school days this year will face a maximum $150 fine if convicted - the amount should by $2280, United Future education spokesman Bernie Ogilvy said today.

"That's the cost of the education the State provides for 83 days for a secondary school student - and it's time parents were truly held accountable, not just to the State, but to the children they are allowing to grow into illiterate, unemployable adults," he said.

Last week Mr Ogilvy said that parents who fail to have their children educated should be fined per day missed without adequate explanation, at the amount it costs to educate a child each day - $18.85 for primary and $27.48 for secondary students.

"If the woman concerned is convicted, a maximum $150 fine is laughable. Is that the value we place on a child's education?" Mr Ogilvy asked.

Repeated truancy shouldn't be dismissed as just a bit of wagging, he said.

Ends.

© Scoop Media