A VET school in the central region of Portugal created an internal electronic monitoring system in 2011, with the objective of being more efficient in monitoring truancy and in transmitting the information between the pedagogical and psychological staff.

When a student is absent, the teacher enters this information into the software system by selecting the student’s name. After this, a note is registered in an electronic student profile and an SMS is sent to the parents/guardian to notify them of the student’s absence. School counsellors and psychologists follow up with the absent learner, and provide support where necessary. Parents are also requested to attend a meeting at the school to ensure that they also follow up on their child’s attendance.