Vol. 553 No. 5
252 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider, as a means of promoting school attendance, acknowledging by way of certificate or other means, children who complete education with a perfect attendance record; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14719/02]
The National Educational Welfare Board, established under the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, has been given a lead role in developing co-ordinated supports and strategies to promote and encourage regular attend ance at school. It also aims to ensure that young people remain actively involved in education up to early adulthood.
Under the Education (Welfare) Act the board of management of a recognised school shall prepare and submit to the NEWB a statement of the strategies and measures it proposes to adopt for the purposes of fostering an appreciation of learning among students attending that school and encouraging regular attendance at school. The statement of strategy shall, among other things, provide for the rewarding of students who have good school attendance records.
I will consider any proposals that the NEWB brings before me to promote school attendance.
