Parents will be expected to spend half a day in their child's class, pay for damage caused by their kids, and supervise students during break at least once a year, under tough new school rules to be unveiled by Government.

The new requirements are part of Government's drive to ensure deadbeat parents at public schools start to take an active involvement in their children's education.

On Friday, MPs passed legislation giving school principals to the power to send delinquent parents - who do not adhere to a conduct of conduct - to parenting classes or face fines of $200 at Magistrates' Court.

The next step is to spell out clearly what the new school rules will be - so parents know they can be taken to court if they failed to uphold the rules.

In a letter to school principals from Acting Permanent Secretary at the Department of Education, Dr. Joseph Christopher - seen by The Royal Gazette yesterday- the full range of parental obligations is outlined.

They include parents:

Attending at least one parent-teacher conference per year;

attending any team meeting;

attending one half-day in the child's class;

supervising students during at least one recreational period per year;

accompanying students on at least on at least one field trip;

attending at least one parent teacher meeting;

ensuring all homework is completed;

asssuming liability for property damaged by their child; and

refunding, if asked, the value of damaged property, and if necessary, ensuring their child does community service as part of their punishment.

Parents who fail to adhere to these tough new rules could face being sent on parenting classes or face $200 fines.

Dr. Christopher outlined the responsibilities parents will be expected to assume when the rules come into play in a letter to Livingston Tuzo, the president of the Association of School Principals, two weeks ago.

Mr. Tuzo said last night his executive will discuss the new rules at a meeting tomorrow.

He added: "Anything that assists in allowing the kids to get the kind of service they deserve is a plus."

Dr. Christopher said the new rules can be introduced after the Education Act is amended in Parliament.

That process will be completed when Senate rubber stamps the legislation passed in the House of Assembly on Friday.

He said the new school rules may come into effect as soon as they are passed, or at the beginning of the new school year in September, 2004.

Parents will also be required to give truthful information when registering their children, and inform the school if their youngsters have any medical conditions and have been given immunisation.

In the House of Assembly on Friday, Education Minister Paula Cox said the amendment to the Education Act to allow parents to be sent for counselling courses or face fines, she said it was time to get to grips with parents who are dodging their responsibility to take an interest in their child's schooling.

She told MPs: "Parenting is not a choice. It is an obligation. Part of the obligation is to step to the wicket and be an active and positive force in the life of the child.

"Those parents who do not live up to their obligations should expect to be taken to court and that a fine not exceeding $200 be imposed.

"We have now given the principal, who is the front-line authority in regard to interacting with parents, legal and meaningful authority which is not just talk - it is action."