§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how may categories of absence are set out in the regulations on reporting on truancy; and what pilot survey was carried out of the costs and benefits of requiring these categories.
§ Mr. FallonThe Education (Pupils' Attendance Records) Regulations 1991 improve the data on truancy by requiring schools to categorise pupils' absence in one of two ways: authorised or unauthorised. The additional costs of doing this are limited, since schools should already have been enquiring into reasons for absence. The draft regulations and explanatory circular were sent in advance as consultation documents to local education authorities and other bodies concerned.