2011 figures show decrease in school absenteeism

There has been an improvement in the number of children attending school every day.

Data from the National Educational Welfare Board reveals that 6% of primary-school days and 8% of post-primary school days are lost through absenteeism in 2010/11.

These figures are at the lowest level for the five-year period from 2006 to 2011.

From 2009/10 to 2010/11, the decrease of % days lost in primary from 6.2 to 6.1 means that about 500 more primary school pupils attended school per day.

Similarly, the decrease of % days lost in post-primary from 7.9 to 7.8 means that about 300 more post-primary students attended school per day.

“All those who work in the area of education and educational welfare can be heartened by the fact that their continued efforts have contributed to bringing about this positive change,” said Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald.

“It is vital that we continue to work to sustain improvement in attendance year on year.

“This must be a truly collaborative effort between schools, statutory and support services and the home and must deliver an integrated approach to supporting student attendance but also effective participation in education and retention in the school system.”