I rang the school and spoke to the vice principal who expressed astonishment at my feedback. I told her that I was shocked to hear that the students’ absence went unnoticed. How was that possible and on so many occasions? She could not give me a good explanation. We concluded our conversation with the vice principal assuring me that they would act on the matter. Since that phone call, I did not see any more students exiting by the secret pathway until this week. I rang the school again and was told that the school had stepped up patrol, disciplined and informed the parents most of whom were not able to do anything about their children’s truancy. “Nonetheless, I will now go take a look at the students’ hang-out place which we were shown the last time,” the disciplinary master opined.  

 

Bored. Absence not noticed. Helpless parents. *Sigh*
 
A child’s wayward behaviour can result from many factors. Truancy might have started off as a simple act of mischief or even through peer pressure. We were once youthful rebels as well and had our occasional horns that surfaced to get our parents all stressed up. Still, we managed after gaining the new experiences mostly out of acts of playfulness to overcome boredom. However, I am somehow disturbed to hear that a child’s presence could go unnoticed. No wonder he would rather leave the school compound to wherever/whoever that acknowledges his presence. Helpless parents? The distractions in life can rob us off the time with our loved ones. Patience is time based. Helplessness need not lead to hopelessness if only we care, love and give.