Gov’t to Re-Introduce Compulsory Primary Education

Minister of Education and Youth, Maxine Henry-Wilson, has said that the Ministry will tackle absenteeism this year by re-introducing compulsory education at the primary level.
Addressing the nation in a back-to-school broadcast last night (Aug. 30), Mrs. Henry Wilson noted that absenteeism continues to be a challenge for the education system. “All the research shows that there are three (3) main factors responsible for absenteeism. There are no money for lunch, no money for bus fares, and a category known as ‘running errands’,” she pointed out.
She underscored the existence of the direct correlation between students’ consistent attendance and good performance. “Hence during this year, we intend to re-introduce compulsory education at the primary level,” she declared.
The 2007/08 school term begins on September 10.