§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he is taking to eradicate truancy.
§ Mr. RichardsWe attach great importance to the elimination of truancy and are continually looking at ways in which to effect this. Over the past 12 months or so we have;
issued guidance to schools and LEAs on the policy and practice on categorisation of absence;published details of absence levels at individual secondary schools for the first time;encouraged LEAs to look more closely at individual pupils' absence rates and the reasons for them, and urged them to make more use of school attendance orders where appropriate; reminded parents through the revised Charter for Parents in Wales of their duty to ensure that their children attend school regularly; andsupported projects totalling £663,500 on pupil discipline, bullying, and attendance including initiatives to combat truancy. The level of funding for 1995–96 has increased to £800,000 and the successful projects will be announced shortly.