What does the school attendance officer do?
The Compulsory Education Act protects every child's right to learn. Every child must have the opportunity to develop to the fullest extent possible so that the child can later participate well in society. Together with parents and school, the compulsory education officer ensures that a child can attend school.
See school attendance officer?
Compulsory education checks that everyone is complying with the Compulsory Education Act: parents/caregivers and those subject to compulsory education. The compulsory education officer is an independent person employed by the municipality of Opsterland.
A compulsory education officer:
- when absenteeism or impending absenteeism occurs, offers a listening ear and thinks with parents and students to find solutions to stop the absenteeism themselves as much as possible;
- Investigates why a student stays away from school without permission and engages in conversation with parent(s) and children as young as 12;
- can refer youths to Bureau HALT (The ALTernative) for a learning or community service. This is only possible if a youth has not previously come into contact with the justice system.
- may send a report to the District Attorney's Office if the student continues to absent without good cause;
- The compulsory education officer may also ask the school to make a care report to youth welfare;
- works with the school and other partners to get truants and dropouts back to school as soon as possible, possibly with support from a school doctor or counselor from the school, youth services, the Child Protective Services Council or another agency;
- sees to it that young people are enrolled in training until the age of 18 until they obtain an entry-level qualification;
- checks and motivates young people aged 18-23 who do not have a starting qualification to go back to school to get their diploma.
- Reviews requests for exemptions and additional leave exceeding 10 days.
