REDUCING TRUISM & ABSEENTIESM

12/04/2011

Australian Labor Party

Bigger and Better Soutport

 

12/04/2011
Media Release

Southport ALP Candidate Reveals Proposal to Decrease Absenteeism and Truancy in state schools

ALP candidate Chris Chiang has announced his policy aiming to tackle absenteeism and truancy in Southport schools.

Mr Chiang stressed out ALP’s concern about students being outside schools grounds during school hours, as well as the importance of maintaining students absent free and in school during their developing years.

“It is important to adapt laws according to what the current situation in the school system is. It is important to lower the rate of school drop outs, but not only that keep them in school grounds during school periods” Mr Chiang said.

Although the federal government has implemented policies to avoid a decrement on student enrolment, and the state government refereeing issues with education, it is important to give the council attributes to enforce and punish those who are not complying with what the rules are.

“Councillors across the gold coast have established agreements with businesses in order to reduce the rate of students being outside schools grounds, if a student on full uniform comes to request service from a venue, the deal is to ban them from the establishment and report them to the council or police station” Mr Chiang said.

If elected to represent Southport Mr Chiang will immediately present an initiative, in conjunction with the Gold Coast City Council, to penalise both parents and students, and in some cases businesses, if the student is not where he is supposed to be during school periods.

“It is important to acknowledge this issue, because both the federal and state governments are investing millions of dollars to improve the education system across the state, and I strongly believe that parents, students and the community in general should cooperate in order to achieve this effort” Mr Chiang said.

Further inquiries, please contact:

Wei Chiang

Media Relations Officer, ALP Southport

Email: wei.chiang@alp.com.au