"School IS compulsory Lizzie"

And so is work if you expect to make something of yourself in this world.What employer is going to keep an employee that shows up as often as these kids?

Who would want to be married or have a relationship with someone who only showed up when they felt like it? What child would want to have a parent that was only there for them 80% of the time?

If you don't the the state of "THE STATE" then you can do two things. Join it and change it from the inside - or cut and run. But life is easier for the people who "suit up and show up".