Study unveils reasons for persistent school absences
New research also indicates that children whose parent or parents are unemployed are more than three times more likely than those in the highest social group to have a poor school attendance record.
Children who have witnessed parental conflict are almost twice as likely to be persistent absentees from primary school.
The findings are among a number made through analysis of existing data by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The research bulletin, published yesterday and entitled Reasons for persistent absenteeism among Irish primary school pupils, also found:
*Children of mothers whose native language was other than English or Irish — but who were not necessarily immigrants — are more likely to have a poor attendance record;
*A child with special educational needs, a chronic illness, or behavioural problems poses a higher risk of absenteeism;
*Victims of bullying are also significantly more likely to experience attendance problems;
*Parental engagement, such as attending parent-teacher meetings, is also a factor.
The study focussed on cases of persistent absenteeism of more than 20 days in the last academic year and found that home/family circumstances had the most profound impact, followed by child characteristics.
The study found school-related factors to have be a less influential factor in attendance, although the report states: “Children attending single-sex boys’ schools were about twice as likely to have attendance issues compared to pupils attending single sex girls’ schools. Persistent absenteeism was also more common among children attending schools where principals reported that the number of teachers was inadequate.”
The report’s authors said: “These findings further highlight the importance of the family environment in terms of child outcomes, and are especially pertinent because factors such as depression and parental conflict can often be ‘hidden’ to those outside the family.”
The research was compiled by Merike Darmody, Maeve Thornton, and Selina McCoy, and concludes that absenteeism needs to be treated as “a multi- dimensional issue” that requires interventions based on an individual’s circumstances.
In recent years, staff numbers at the National Education Welfare Board have been reduced and Ms Darmody said: “Definitely school attendance has to be looked at because it is very habit-forming — once you get into the habit of not attending primary school it will escalate in secondary school and can culminate in early school leaving. You can imagine someone’s life chances if they have left school early.”
*www.esri.ie
