The Education Commission says they feel that compulsory education in the Education Bill is an inappropriate and disproportionate penalty against parents.
The compulsory education provision in the Education Bill states that parents may be imprisoned for up to 12 months or pay a fine of $2,000 if they do not send their children to school.
While making submissions to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights on the Education Bill, Education Commission Chair Vijay Naidu says they have discussed this matter and are suggesting that an investigation should be carried out on why there is prolonged absenteeism, and that steps should be taken before this criminalisation process.
He says the steps would include warning the parents and bringing the parents before the authorities to explain what is going on, because circumstances can vary quite considerably on the ground.
He adds the authorities should investigate the realities of how families and households are coping with their circumstances.
Naidu says they believe that there should be a step-by-step procedure towards handling this matter, rather than summary action to punish.
