Criminalising parents over children’s absenteeism is harsh, unfair and ineffective

Legislation now before parliament takes the wrong approach to the problem of children who don’t go to school

24 July 2022 - 00:00 By Jane Bornman and Ebrahiem Daniels

 Who should be punished if children are not in school, and how should they be punished? The law answers this question plainly  —  parents and caregivers.  According to the South African Schools Act,  children aged seven to 15 (or until they are in grade 9, whichever occurs first) must be in school...

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