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Jail helped, say truancy couple Jail helped, say truancy couple
(20 minutes later)
A Newport couple jailed for failing to ensure their 14-year-old daughter went to school have that said their prison sentence may have helped the situation. Absence from school by 11 to 15 year olds in Wales has increased for the first time since 2001, according to figures from the assembly government.
The number of youngsters truanting, however, has fallen very slightly.
The statistics are published as many councils signal an increasingly tough approach with parents.
A Newport couple jailed for failing to ensure their 14-year-old daughter went to school have said their prison sentence may have helped the situation.
Christopher and Deborah Haine were given four months after breaching an earlier suspended sentence.Christopher and Deborah Haine were given four months after breaching an earlier suspended sentence.
New figures have shown the first increase since 2001 in total absence - authorised absence and truancy - for 11 to 15-year-olds in Wales. They were jailed after their daughter attended school for just six out of 113 days from January until July this year.
The figures show pupils missed an average of 15 school days last year.
The Haines were jailed after their daughter attended school for just six out of 113 days from January until July this year.
'End of our tether''End of our tether'
The couple said she was now attending school regularly, and they were getting help from the authorities following their release from jail. Now, the Haines said she was now attending school regularly, and they were getting help from the authorities following their release from jail.
But they said if they had had more help beforehand, the court case could have been avoided. But they insist that if they had had more help beforehand, the court case could have been avoided.
Mr Haine told BBC Wales: "I can understand from the court's point of view [why they jailed us] because I think the courts have got to set an example to prove that they mean what they say.Mr Haine told BBC Wales: "I can understand from the court's point of view [why they jailed us] because I think the courts have got to set an example to prove that they mean what they say.
"My daughter didn't go school - every child has to go to school. But it seemed the help we needed failed and collapsed."My daughter didn't go school - every child has to go to school. But it seemed the help we needed failed and collapsed.
"We tried psychiatrists, education welfare, we tried everything. We were at the end of our tether."We tried psychiatrists, education welfare, we tried everything. We were at the end of our tether.
"By this happening, in one sense it's helped. With our daughter where she is now, in care, she's got to go to school.""By this happening, in one sense it's helped. With our daughter where she is now, in care, she's got to go to school."
But he added: "As a family, I think it's been broken up as a unit.But he added: "As a family, I think it's been broken up as a unit.
Finding the curriculum irrelevant is one cause of truantingFinding the curriculum irrelevant is one cause of truanting
"If we'd had more moral support off school, the education welfare, if they'd given us a bit more feedback... I don't think we'd have had the problem."If we'd had more moral support off school, the education welfare, if they'd given us a bit more feedback... I don't think we'd have had the problem.
"As soon as we came out of prison, everybody's willing to help us.""As soon as we came out of prison, everybody's willing to help us."
The figures released on Tuesday for the school year between September 2005 and May 2006 showed total absenteeism - illness, truancy, term time holiday or other absence - had risen in Wales.The figures released on Tuesday for the school year between September 2005 and May 2006 showed total absenteeism - illness, truancy, term time holiday or other absence - had risen in Wales.
Overall, teenagers in Wales were absent for 9.9% of half day sessions compared with 9.5% the previous year and to 7.9% of half day sessions in England.Overall, teenagers in Wales were absent for 9.9% of half day sessions compared with 9.5% the previous year and to 7.9% of half day sessions in England.
It is the first time total absenteeism has increased in Wales since 2001.It is the first time total absenteeism has increased in Wales since 2001.