Governor's Office issues 'punish student absenteeism' directive: Parents to pay 11 thousand 977 liras

Governor Hasan Şıldak, who has declared education as the top priority in Şanlıurfa and is leading the implementation of a comprehensive education project, has issued a directive to treat the issue of absenteeism as a priority, reminding relevant laws and regulations to ensure the school attendance of students of compulsory education age who are chronically absent or never attend school for various reasons.

LEGAL PROCESS TO BE INITIATED

In a letter sent to district governorships signed by Governor Şıldak to ensure the attendance of chronically absent students, it was emphasized that if attendance cannot be secured despite measures taken, the legal process must be initiated. The letter, which states that education is compulsory for all citizens, both girls and boys, also noted that the child's right to education is guaranteed by the Basic Law on National Education.

The letter requested that school administrations notify parents of students with chronic absenteeism issues via text message on the fifth day of absence, and send an absenteeism letter from the e-school system to the family via registered mail with return receipt on the tenth day of absence, and that schools that have not performed these two procedures to date must carry them out sequentially for students in a state of chronic absenteeism.

FINES WILL BE IMPOSED

In the event that the student's attendance is not ensured despite warnings to be issued by school administrations, District Directorates of National Education, and district governorships, parents will be fined 257 TL for each day the student does not attend school, in accordance with Article 56 of the Primary Education and Training Law No. 222. Parents who still do not send their children to school despite this fine will be subject to an administrative fine of 11 thousand 977 TL.

Finally, the letter requested that the practices specified in the laws be implemented as quickly as possible by district governorships in all districts to ensure the attendance of all students of compulsory education age, and that the work and procedures to be carried out be supervised by the respective superiors.

EMPHASIS ON THE PROBLEM OF ABSENTEEISM

In the statement, Governor Şıldak expressed that they are trying to overcome the problems facing education in Şanlıurfa, which has the youngest population in Turkey, by correctly identifying the issues and producing the right solutions. Governor Şıldak stated the following:

The problem of absenteeism unfortunately appears as one of the fundamental problems of Şanlıurfa. Currently, there is chronic absenteeism of nearly 10 percent in primary and secondary schools and nearly 20 percent in high schools, and we are making great efforts to ensure our students do not drop out of the education process.

However, if there is persistence in absenteeism despite all the information and warnings provided, we are now starting to implement the penal procedures required by the legislation. All our schools will carry out the procedures regarding the administrative fines stipulated by law in accordance with the directive, and these fines will be imposed by our district governorships.

I would like to inform all our parents about this matter once again. Every one of our children deserves to receive an education at school. Let us ensure the attendance of all our children at the primary, secondary, and high school levels. We do not want any of our parents to face a fine.

News Source: AA