A parliamentary majority wants tougher action against truants, reports public broadcaster NOS on Wednesday. MPs have demanded that children who consistently fail to turn up for school appear in front of a special ‘truancy judge’ within one month.

Justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin has agreed to the measure which MPs want introduced nationwide before May 1, NOS said.
The ‘truancy judges’ will have the power to fine truants’ parents and order them to follow special courses.
Truancy is seen as a precursor to dropping out of school altogether. Last year over 53,000 young people left secondary education without a diploma said NOS.