Education secretary Charles Clarke is today unveiling plans to crack down on truant children by imposing £50 fines on parents who fail to send their children to school.

The proposals will be included in the anti-social behaviour bill, which will go before the Commons in the New Year.

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary of PAT, said: "We are pleased that the need ton solve the truancy problem is being given such a high priority. Measures such as parenting contracts and classes could be helpful, and greater provision for excluded children and truancy 'sweeps' are to be welcomed.

"However, we are very concerned about plans to give head teachers powers to fine parents.

"Giving head teachers quasi-judicial powers could undermine their relationship with parents.

"How would such fines be enforced? What would happen if parents wouldn't or couldn't pay?

"Head teachers might be accused of treating some parents more harshly than others. A positive relationship between schools and parents is paramount to pupils' success.

"Punishing parents should be left to the courts, as they have the resources and the authority to do so.

"Parents do need to realise that they can be held responsible for their children's failure to attend school and taken to court. We are very concerned by the number of children who truant with their parents' knowledge - and even take unauthorised time off school with their parents. However, imprisoning parents should be a last resort, as sending parents to prison has an adverse effect on family life.

"A great deal of teacher and support staff time is taken up with chasing up pupil absence, but truancy is not a problem that schools can tackle alone. Schools, parents and the wider community need to work in partnership to ensure that pupils attend school regularly.

"Teachers need the support of parents to help to resolve this problem. We need to encourage parents to foster in their children a greater respect for schools and a belief in the importance of education. The government too must look at and tackle the underlying causes of truancy.

"Playing truant or indulging in disruptive behaviour must not be seen as 'cool', but as blighting youngsters' future success in life.

"Young people who truant need to be clear that parents, the police and teachers are working together in children's best interests to make sure their time is spent appropriately in school.

"Members of the public should be encouraged to play their part too, by informing schools and the police of young people they suspect are truanting."

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the NUT, said: "If truancy is to be overcome schools and parents have to work together. Giving head teachers the power to impose instant fines would create an atmosphere of conflict rather than cooperation."