KHUJAND, April 16, 2014, Asia-Plus -- One more resident of the northern Sughd province is charged with preventing his child from attending school.

According to the Interior Ministry’s office in Sughd, criminal proceedings have been instituted against R.M. from the Asht district under the provisions of Article 164 of Tajikistan’s Penal Code – preventing a person from getting basic compulsory education.

“His 10-year son has missed school since November 2012,” the source said, noting that an investigation is under way.

Last year, local courts passed sentences on the parents of 28 children, who failed for months to attend school, which is 14 cases more than in 2012.  Besides, 338 parents were implicated in not fulfilling their obligations on education of children, and administrative action was imposed upon them.

The constitution obliges parents to enable their children to attend school and that all children between the ages of seven and 16 must do so.