The purposes of this article are to secure the prompt and regular attendance of pupils and to secure their proper conduct, and to hold the parent, guardian or other person in charge or control of a child responsible and liable for such child's nonattendance and improper conduct as a pupil, and to effect these purposes the chapter shall be liberally construed and the courts and those charged with the enforcement of its provisions are vested with a wide discretion in its administration.
Ala. Code § 16-28-2 (1975)