Businesses sign pledge

Albany businesses are playing their part in keeping students in school by pledging not to serve school-aged children.

Posters distributed throughout the city as part of the Albany-based Keeping Kids in School campaign states students will not be served during school hours unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian or have a Department of Education leave passed issued by their school.

South West Education Region engagement and transitions manager Lindsay Campbell said the new campaign was based on a similar, successful one held four years ago.

Mr Campbell said the community played as much as a role for the attendance of students as schools did.

“One of our big pushes in attendance has been bringing the schools and community closer together to look at attendance and reinforce its importance,” he said.

The campaign is driven by the Education Department, local police, the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the City of Albany with their logos printed on the posters as a sign of shared endorsement.

Mr Campbell said although there was not a major truancy problem in Albany, there were still cases reported where students are hanging around at shops when they should be in school.

“There are cases of it, and in many cases those students are there legitimately, quite often it’s been confusing to know who is a school student and who isn’t, so this will make sure everyone knows what the situation is.”

Hungry Jacks Albany manager Nigel Fernando has decided to display the posters in his store.

Mr Fernando said although his staff had previously refused to serve school-aged children during school hours, the posters gave the policy more grounding.