2nd September 2011

Parents face jail if children play traunt

Parents of children in Blikkiesdorp who have been bunking school have been warned they may be arrested and charged if they don’t send their children to school.

Education MEC Donald Grant issued this warning when he met community leaders in Blikkiesdorp yesterday to discuss concerns about truancy.

Community leader Beverley Jacobs said she had a list of 22 children who were truants.

“One girl of 13 is bunking school and says she wants to be a prostitute. She smokes dagga and tik and some nights disappears and arrives home at 3am.” Another has stabbed her stepfather three times and has formed a girl gang.

“There are two children aged nine and 12 who don’t attend school because they have to work in the tuck shop at their house and these are bright children,” said Jacobs.