Plans by a 13-year-old girl to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone could be dashed by civil servants who have refused to give her permission to be absent from school, reports the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant.

Laura Dekker intends to continue her education during the two-year trip through self-study and via emails.

However the authorities in her home town of Wijk bij Duurstede say this is not an acceptable alternative to attending school.

Dekker’s parents, who have themselves made a seven-year journey around the world, support Laura’s plans, says the paper.

Dekker, who was born on a boat in New Zealand, is an experienced sailor.
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