SORRY, but it is The TES (May 17) that is sending the “wrong message” over truancy (by opposing jail for truants’ parents). I have watched in despair as two bright girls in our extended family have truanted for four years without action being taken. Family members tried to help but without sanctions there was nothing they could do. The elder child will shortly “leave” with no qualifications. The younger is illiterate. School only comes round once.
Hilary Steedman Senior research fellow Centre for Economic Performance London School of Economics and Political Science Houghton Street, London WC2
