Legislation to make parents legally responsible for the actions of their children will have the desired affect on school behaviour, it was claimed last night.

Robin Richardson, chairman of CedarBridge Academy's Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), said he believed Government's plan to prosecute parents who did little to correct the bad behaviour of their youngsters would ultimately have success.

"It's a very sad thing that Government has to legislate on good parenting, but it's a sign of the times and it has proved necessary," said Mr. Richardson.

"If you look at many of the children that cause the problems in schools, you will see that often there are huge problems at their homes, in one way or another.

"It's a good thing that Government is going to hold these parents accountable. They have to be responsible for their children, good or bad."

Mr. Richardson said he understood Government's frustrations when trying to encourage parents to get more involved in their children's schooling.

Just last month, the PTSA at CedarBridge held its annual general meeting and only a few parents turned out.

But he said if parents now realised they were going to face the brunt over their children's misdemeanours, they may well step in and take control first.

"I think parents will make more of an effort if they know they will answer for any wrongdoings of their children," added Mr. Richardson.

"When someone holds you accountable, then the end result is that you toe the line, whether you want to or not. I think that's what we will gradually see here. Hopefully, it will have a great impact on our schools."

During the Throne Speech on Friday, Governor Sir John Vereker outlined Government's plans to make parents more accountable this year.

It is likely to take the form of the truancy legislation, which can see parents in court if they fail to ensure their children attend school regularly.

He said: "Parents are a child's first role models; as such, parental involvement in education is an integral component of successful learning.

"Parental responsibility legislation will be brought forward to encourage even greater parental involvement in the educational process. This will mean that parents of students who do not comply with the identified rules and regulations of schools may be held responsible for their children's actions."

The need for legislation came about after the entire teaching staff at CedarBridge Academy held a one-day sit-in last December over the growing bad behaviour of some of its students.

As a result, dozens of pupils at the school were refused entry back into the school in September, and, instead, sent to alternative facilities, instead. Already, both the PTSA and principal Kalmar Richards said their removal had had the desired affect on the school.

* The CedarBridge PTSA is meeting tomorrow and all parents of children at the school are being urged to attend. It will be held at 6 p.m. in the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium.