Education Secretary Backs Home Education Register
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has reiterated his support for the introduction of a home education register.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi was giving evidence to the Education Select Committee. Image: Parliament TV
Speaking at a Parliamentary hearing this morning (Wednesday), Zahawi said he was “absolutely committed” to the creation of a register of elective home-educated (EHE) children, which would be maintained by local authorities.
The measure was a key proposal in the Children Not in School consultation paper published in April 2019 alongside a planned duty on parents to register their child as being home schooled and for councils to provide additional support for EHE children.
The government has yet to publish its response to the consultation, which was criticised by members of the Education Select Committee who were questioning Zahawi.
Caroline Johnson, Conservative MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, said: “I am unsure why it is taking so long? This is a safeguarding issue…we know that some people are not doing a good job [home...