What does the truancy officer do?
The Compulsory Education Act protects every child's right to education. Every child must have the opportunity to develop to their full potential so that they can participate fully in society later in life. Together with parents and schools, the truancy officer ensures that children can attend school.
Would you like to speak to the truancy officer?
Compulsory education monitors whether everyone complies with the Compulsory Education Act: parents/guardians and school-age children. The compulsory education officer is an independent person employed by the municipality of Opsterland.
A truancy officer:
- offers a listening ear in the event of (impending) absenteeism and works with parents and students to find solutions to stop absenteeism as much as possible;
- investigates why a student is absent from school without permission and discusses this with parents and children aged 12 and older;
- can refer young people toBureau HALT (The ALTernative) for a learning or work sentence. This is only possible if the young person has not previously been in trouble with the law.
- can send a report to the Public Prosecutor's Office if the student continues to be absent without good reason;
- The truancy officer may also ask the school to file a care report with youth services.
- works together with the school and other partners to ensure that truants and dropouts return to school as quickly as possible, if necessary with the support of a school doctor or counselor, youth services, the Child Protection Board, or another institution;
- ensures that young people up to the age of 18 are enrolled in an educational program until they have obtained a basic qualification;
- checks and motivates young people between the ages of 18 and 23 who do not have a basic qualification to return to school to obtain their diploma.
- assesses applications for exemptions and additional leave exceeding 10 days.
