Retailers not supporting anti-truancy initiatives

Retailers not supporting anti-truancy initiatives should be ashamed

“Gisborne retailers concerned that their profits may drop if truant students go back to school should be ashamed of themselves. They are putting all retailers in a negative light,” says an Auckland retail advocate.

“I can’t believe how narrow-minded these Gisborne retailers are being, thinking only about their cash registers, without a care for their wider community’s needs and aspirations,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

“Retailers are the cornerstone of any town or city centre and play a big role in setting the tone of a place. Retailers derive their incomes from the community. With such privilege comes certain responsibility.

“Any community initiative which asks shopkeepers not to serve young people without a school pass must be supported. It’s disgusting that such an initiative in Gisborne is being met with resistance.

“These ignorant retailers should take a look at Rotorua’s success. Over the past five years Rotorua retailers have all banded together and have done a superb job reducing Rotorua’s truancy problems. Such a well supported initiative has not only been good for wayward teenagers, but it’s made central Rotorua a lot more pleasant, and subsequently has been positive for Rotorua retail overall.”

A recently-released Ministry of Education survey shows that just over 30,000 students are truant from state and state-integrated schools on any given day. Subsequently the Government last month allocated an additional $4 million per year to help schools introduce stronger and more proactive measures to reduce truancy rates.

“Truancy is a major problem in this country, and it’s not just for the Ministry of Education and individual schools to sort out. Business districts and retail centres can also play a positive role and should be prepared to step up without hesitation if asked.”

Mr Brewer says with over 8,000 students at seven major neighbouring secondary schools, Newmarket has more school students in its broader catchment than any other town centre in the country.

“Before and after school, Newmarket is over-run with school children. If any secondary school wanted us to stop serving its students during school hours, we would not hesitate. We are all one community,” says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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