内容摘要："It will make a lot of difference. I've got various health issues and have to travel to hospital by taxi. I can't really afford to do it. The

"It will make a lot of difference. I've got various health issues and have to travel to hospital by taxi. I can't really afford to do it. The

The Education and Welfare Service (EWS) currently receives an average of 300 referrals every month from schools about children who are not attending class, although the causes can range from emotional-based school avoidance to physical health, domestic abuse and drug and alcohol issues.From 2019 to May 2025, nearly 500 parents or guardians were prosecuted by the Education Authority for keeping their children from school without a valid excuse.

Of the 4,120 children referred to the EWS, more than a third are currently on a waiting list, the Education Authority (EA) confirmed.Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn said his office was "exploring issues related to anxiety-based school avoidance, impact of poverty, ill health, long-term impact of Covid-19 and bullying"."We need to understand why these children and young people are not returning to school and explore whether their support needs are being met," he added.

SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter said she is in touch with 200 families across Northern Ireland whose children will not attend school.Describing it as the biggest issue she has dealt with since being elected, she said many don't know where to go for guidance.

"I've spoken with a number of parents who've actually had to leave their job because their child is not attending school."

Hunter also accused education authorities of not recognising the severity of the problem and "failing quite a large number of children"."We will continue to pile pressure until every single officer involved is held personally liable. We won't accept more excuses," Ms Odhiambo said.

Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga has condemned Mr Ojwang's "horrifying" death, saying it added to a long list of "young and defenceless Kenyans whose lives have been taken too soon, in brutal and senseless circumstances, at the hands of the police".Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja earlier suspended several officers who were on duty at the time of Mr Ojwang's death.

But human rights groups have demanded more action, terming the blogger's death as a possible attempt to silence the digital community through intimidation and fear.A crowd of activists, holding placards and chanting "Stop killing us", protested on Monday outside Nairobi City mortuary, where Mr Ojwang's body is being kept.