There's harsh criticism of Associate Education Minister David Seymour's push for prosecution of parents of continued truants.

Seymour says parents could be fined in the most extreme cases as part of Government requirements for Stepped Attendance Response plans in schools by 2026.

He's also insisting term-time teacher-only days need authorisation from the Education Minister.

Northland Principal Pat Newman says this is a completely political move.

"The cold, hard reality is that it's been tried, it's been on the books, it hasn't worked. That's why it's not used."

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