Section 16: Reasonable excuse for non-attendance- For the purpose of this Act any of the following circumstances shall be deemed to be a reasonable excuse for the non-attendance of the child at an approved school, namely

(a) that there is no approved school within the prescribed distance from his residence;

(b) that the only approved school within the prescribed distance from the residence of the child to which the child can secure admission is one in which religious instruction of a nature not approved by his parent is compulsory :

( c) that the child is receiving instruction in some other manner which is declared to be satisfactory by the State Govenunent or by an officer authorized by the State Government in this behalf;

(d) that the child has already completed elementary education up to the standard specified in the order under section 11;

( e) that the child suffers from a physical or mental defect which prevents him from attendance :

(f) that the child has been granted temporary leave of absence not exceeding the prescribed period by the prescribed authority or by any other person authorized by the prescribed authority in this behalf:

(g) that there is any other compelling circumstance which prevents the child from attending school, provided the same is certified as such by the attendance authority ; and

(h) such other circumstance as may be prescribed.

503