Parents could face prosecution for childen ditching school

The government is threatening parents with prosecution if their children spend too much time away from school. From 2026, schools will be required to have a stepped plan in place for responding to truancy. Associate Education Minister David Seymour suggests more than five days absence from class could trigger a principal-parent meeting, and the Ministry would be called in after 15 days, Principal of Hora Hora School in Whangarei, Pat Newman spoke to Susana Lei'ataua.