A new truancy-free shopping scheme, where retailers would ask pupils if they have a leave pass from their school, will be launched in Invercargill next week.
The Invercargill Truancy Service will launch the scheme on August 29 in an attempt to cut the number of truants loitering in the central business district.
The scheme may be expanded to other areas if successful.
Based on a similar model in Rotorua, the scheme is believed to be the first of its type in the South Island, truancy officer Vicki Paul said.
"We need a scheme here - truancy has become a bit of a problem and it is up to us as a community to do something about it."
The retailers would ask to see a leave pass when pupils entered shops wearing school uniforms between 9am and 3pm.
Only retailers agreeing to be part of the programme would be issued with an information pack, which includes pictures of the different school uniforms, contact telephone numbers and details of the approved passes.
More than 25 retailers have committed to the project.
Ministry of Education Otago-Southland manager Kathryn Palmer said the scheme had the backing of the ministry, the police and the Invercargill City Council.
"More importantly, it is in response to concerns in the Invercargill community about truancy."
The ministry would evaluate the scheme before deciding if it would be expanded to cover other areas, she said.
"The ministry supports any reasonable measure to keep students in school - every day counts."
