§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on absenteeism in(a) primary schools and (b) high schools in Wales.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsIt is important to tackle truancy more vigorously to ensure that the national curriculum and other education reforms benefit all pupils. My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State of Wales have this week issued for consultation a draft circular on school attendance, together with draft regulations about pupil registration and the publication of information about rates of attendance. We expect schools to give the highest priority to maximising rates of attendance, and to work with parents, local education authorities and others to achieve that objective.