Several children left abroad by parents

Oslo. Akhtar Chaudhry.Photo:Terje Bendiksby / NTB scanpix

During 2015 the Education department treated 50 cases where students did not show up to school because their parents left them abroad – often the parents’ homeland.

– According to my numbers, there were 45 children whom we were in contact with last year which were left abroad, said department manager of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) East, Akhtar Chaudhry, to NRK. Chaudry fears similar numbers after this year’s summer vacation.

Of the 50 processed cases where pupils have undocumented absences, the Education Administration reported the parents of four students. According to a report from 2014, the problem was greatest amongst Norwegian Somalies, but it is also common among children with Pakistani and Iraqi background.

If schools do not get hold of the parents or the children, then they will notify Nav . Children residing in Norway, but who do not attend school, are not entitled to child allowances unless they apply for it.
According to the head of social services at Nav, many of the students come back when Nav cuts their child benefit.

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today

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