Colman Noctor: Lessons must be learned about school avoidance  

"Prolonged periods away from structured school environments made reintegrating difficult for some children. Younger students, particularly, missed out on critical early social experiences, making school feel unfamiliar and intimidating."

Since the pandemic, school avoidance has
become a growing crisis in Ireland.

I teach a child and adolescent mental health postgraduate programme at South East Technological University Waterford to psychotherapists, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, and others. In recent class discussions, school avoidance was repeatedly mentioned as an issue they are experiencing in their work.

The national figures support what they are seeing. Since the pandemic, school avoidance has become a growing crisis in Ireland.