Truancy could cost Mid-West students their school payments

27/7/06
Geraldton students who skip more than five days of school without explanation risk losing their ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance payments under a new initiative being trialled in the Mid-West.
Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich announced today that the trial would take place at Geraldton Senior College and John Willcock College.
Centrelink and the Department of Education and Training have signed a Memorandum of Understanding endorsing the trial.
"Students aged 16 years and over who accept Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY payments through Centrelink enter an agreement to attend school regularly," Ms Ravlich said.
"The aim of the 'Positive Student Attendance Initiative' is to ensure students know their obligations, so they do not skip school and risk losing their ABSTUDY and Youth Allowance.
"The trial will also ensure we avoid the situation where students miss out on their education and also end up with a massive debt to the Commonwealth Government."
The Minister said that under the 'Positive Student Attendance Initiative' trial, where individual students in receipt of Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY were identified with five or more unexplained absences, Centrelink would request the schools to provide individual attendance information for these students on a fortnightly basis.
"Centrelink will also be able to access attendance information each term for all students receiving the payments," she said.
Ms Ravlich congratulated the Department of Education and Training, the two trial schools and Centrelink on developing the initiative.
"To get to this point there has been great goodwill, commitment and energy and the relationship which has been developed is a credit to everyone involved," she said.
The Minister announced a crackdown on non-attendance at school in May under the banner 'It's not OK to stay away'.
"It is the responsibility of parents and caregivers to ensure their child goes to school on all school days," she said.
"They can face prosecution and fines if they do not make sure their child attends school regularly.

"As educators we can make a difference to the future of young people and guide their progress towards becoming valuable, contributing members of our society."
Minister's office: (08) 9213 6800