THERE has been just one prosecution for truancy in the past year and a total of four over the previous five years according to the Education Department.
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The figures were released in light of a story earlier in the week in which Brooks High School has begun conducting roll call four times a day and immediately contacting parents if their child was absent, in an attempt to stop students skipping class.
Department deputy secretary Liz Banks said according to the Education Act prosecution with a fine was allowed, yet it was a last resort and followed a long process of consultation between the parents, school and the department.
``However, the department requests that the magistrate makes an order adjourning the sentence for a period of time to allow the parent to get the child to school,'' Ms Banks said.
``If the child attends satisfactorily then that is the end of the matter.
``If the child does not start attending school then the department can bring, and has brought, the matter back before the magistrate and seeks a sentence taking into account the failure of the parent to comply with the orders of the court.''
She said the department was more interested in children attending school and its aim was to sort out whatever issues were hindering attendance.
