Council backs move to deal with truancy

The Barbados National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (BNCPTA) is supporting the Ministry of Education Transformation in its attempt to deal with truancy.

President Nicole Brathwaite told the DAILY NATION that the BNCPTA shared the minister’s concern about a lack of attendance by some students.

Last Monday during the launch of a parent education programme, Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman expressed concern about student delinquency, pointing out that he was observing too many students on the street long after the start of school.

In response Brathwaite said: “No parent wants their child on the street instead of in class. When students miss school, they lose learning, social development, and the safety schools provide,” she added, as she responded to the concerns made by Blackman on Monday.

Stressing that parents hold the primary role in getting children to school, Brathwaite said most do so daily “despite real barriers: transport costs, work schedules, caregiving demands, and personal challenges children face”.

She noted that truancy had many causes. “We expect the ministry’s approach to be firm and supportive. Monitoring teams help most when paired with school social workers for early intervention with at-risk students and families. These professionals are already stretched – resourcing matters. This demands partnership.”

Community could assist

Brathwaite outlined areas where parents and themcommunity could assist in controlling this behaviour.

She pointed to staying connected by knowing the attendance policies and keeping contact information updated for quick alerts.

Brathwaite also recommended acting early by flagging transport, uniform, meal, or personal issues with schools before absences become patterns.

In addition, parents should keep a community watch, reminding that a respectful “Should you be in school?” still made a difference.

She stated: “The BNCPTA is ready to work with the ministry and PTAs on practical solutions: stronger home-school communication, attendance incentives, neighbourhood carpools, and sharing best practices. Truancy isn’t solved by one group alone. If we – parents, schools, ministry, and community – commit to tackling root causes together, consistently, we protect our children’s future. Let’s do this together.”

Blackman had said officials from the ministry would be soon observing the practice of the latecomers or those who skip school.

“One of the things that I will be doing very shortly around this time of the morning is getting into a vehicle with some of the members of our ministry and go around the country to make sure that our children are where they are supposed to be at the right time,” he said. (MB)

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