PARENTS in Newport and Cwmbran were hit with fines and costs totalling almost £3,000 for failing to make sure their children went to school.

Fifteen parents pleaded guilty or were found guilty of an offence under the 1996 Education Act in cases brought by two Gwent councils and heard by Abergavenny magistrates.

Newport and Torfaen councils warned they are serious in tackling truancy and will not hesitate to bring more cases against parents who do not ensure their children attend school.

Four other parents who pleaded or were found guilty of the same offences must appear before the court to explain themselves before sentences are handed out.

The 19 cases involved children aged five to 15 years who during different periods between September 1 last year and March 4 this year missed significant amounts of school time.

Some had not attended for several weeks, if at all. Only one of the parents turned up for their hearing.

The cases were brought following several months during which education welfare officers and the schools involved had tried to liaise regularly with the parents to try to find out the reasons why children were missing so much time in school.

In all cases, first and final warning letters were sent to the parents, informing them that if children's attendances at school remained poor, or if doctors' notes authorising their absence were not provided, legal action would follow.

Despite these warnings, problems continued in all cases. Attendance records for the periods covered by each case were read out in court. One child had attended school - Lliswerry High - on just four sessions out of a possible 174.

Another teenager had been to school on just five out of 114 sessions, another on 19 out of 154 sessions.

A five-year-old girl from Cwmbran had attended just 18 out of 132 sessions at her infants school, with a series of medical conditions given as reasons but no doctors' notes provided.

Another teenager had not attended any of a possible 212 sessions at her comprehensive school, the magistrates were told, because she was caring for her father, who had health problems, and also for disabled siblings.

The majority of the parents in these actions were charged with an offence under Section 444(1) of the 1996 Education Act, that of failing to secure their child's regular attendance at school. Fines ranged between £50 and £250.

Twelve cases were brought by Newport council, and a spokesman said the local authority wants "parents to realise the serious consequences that could arise if they fail to ensure their child is attending school. This action is taken in the interests of the child, as we want to ensure they are receiving the best education possible - every day is important in a child's education," he said.

"The council does everything it can to work with families to try and overcome any difficulties, but will not hesitate to take action against parents who do not ensure their children attend school."

Torfaen council brought seven cases. Councillor John Turner, its executive member for education, said: "The naming of these parents shows how seriously the courts are treating the issue.

"This gives out a strong message that the parents of persistent truants will be prosecuted. Court action is always a last resort. Our officers work with pupils and parents before it becomes a problem."

Both councils told the Argus they supported the parents being named in named in the paper today.