IT should be compulsory that children and young people attend schools, a councillor has said.
At a meeting of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s People scrutiny committee on Tuesday, January 7, councillors received a report which looked at figures for attendance and exclusions at schools as well as those who choose to be taught at home.
The report shows that the number of children and young people in the county borough who are “electively home educated” (EHE) are on the rise.
At the end of the 2023/2024 academic year there were 201 youngsters being taught from home which has risen from 193 in 2022/2023.
There were 42 youngsters from both Years 10 and 11 making a total of 84 who were being educated from home.
If in school these year groups, follow a curriculum and sit GCSE exams.
The report explained that the main reasons being given for those choosing to be taught from home is: anxiety/mental health, bullying, parental choice, and Covid-19.
Education officers stressed that parents have a right to educate their children at home if they want to.
Cllr David Wilkshire (Labour) said: “My concern is that the child is going to be at a disadvantage as they are losing socialising skills.
“They are being isolated, and the education is not as good unless the parents are teachers themselves.
“I’m of the opinion it should be compulsory that they attend school for the child’s sake not the parents.”
School inclusion manager Julia Sambrook told the committee that council Youth Service run two activities clubs that meet twice a week in Abertillery and Ebbw Vale, which allow EHE children to: “integrate with their peers.”
“There is a newsletter that goes out on a monthly basis that lists the activities, to ensure they get those opportunities,” said Ms Sambrook.
Cllr Derrick Bevan (Labour) said: “200 being home educated at home is far too many.
“Do we make sure that children have adequate IT equipment at home, and do they take exams, because if you want to get on in life you need qualifications.”
Ms Sambrook explained that when it came to GCSEs and other exams EHE children are able to apply to sit them, and that Blaenau Gwent secondary schools take it in turns to accommodate this need.
Ms Sambrook “For example last year it was Abertillery Learning Community and about eight took exams.”
She explained that parents would have to pay for their children to sit exams.
Ms Sambrook said that IT needs are assessed, and children could receive equipment including dongles for wi-fi/broadband that would allow them to access online learning.
Ms Sambrook said: “They can also apply for up to £100 grants to purchase books.”
She added that children receive up to three visits a year from education welfare officers.
If they are not successfully seen, then their case will be looked at by a panel which will decide the next steps to take.
Ms Sambrook said: “If we are concerned that the child is not receiving an adequate education then the senior education welfare officer will issue a school attendance order.
“This tells them they need to be back in school as they are not providing us with reassurance that they are providing a curriculum of some kind.
The report was accepted by the committee and will now go on to be discussed at a meeting of the Blaenau Gwent cabinet on Wednesday, January 15.