Tackling Chronic Absenteeism: A Comprehensive Approach to Improving School Attendance

In a bold move to address the persistent issue of chronic absenteeism in New Zealand schools, the government has unveiled a comprehensive plan that aims to hold both parents and schools accountable. The proposed measures, outlined by Education Minister David Seymour, seek to identify barriers to attendance and implement targeted interventions to ensure students are present in the classroom.

Empowering Schools and Families to Boost Attendance

Tiered Intervention Strategies

The new attendance plan outlines a tiered approach to addressing absenteeism. When a student reaches specific thresholds of missed days, the school will initiate a series of interventions. At the initial stage, the school will reach out to parents or guardians to understand the reasons for the absences and set clear expectations. If the issue persists, the school leadership will meet with the student and their family to identify barriers and develop a plan to address them. In cases where the student continues to miss a significant number of days, the ministry and legal authorities may become involved, with the possibility of prosecution for parents who fail to cooperate.

Strengthening Interagency Collaboration

To ensure a comprehensive and coordinated response, the government has directed the Ministry of Education to work closely with other government agencies, including the Ministry for Social Development, Oranga Tamariki, the police, Kāinga Ora, and Te Puni Kōkiri. These agencies will develop robust information-sharing agreements to provide wraparound support services for students identified as needing additional assistance.

Holding Schools Accountable

The new attendance plan also places a responsibility on schools to set a good example. Seymour has emphasized that schools will no longer be able to take teacher-only days during term time without permission from the Ministry of Education. This measure aims to demonstrate the government's commitment to maximizing instructional time and prioritizing student attendance.

Leveraging Data and Monitoring

The Ministry of Education has been tasked with collecting comprehensive data on school attendance, including the number of days each school is open or closed for instruction, as well as the attendance rates for individual students. This data will be used to identify chronic absenteeism and trigger appropriate interventions, ensuring that no student falls through the cracks.

Exploring Fines and Prosecution

While acknowledging that some students may face genuine barriers to attendance, Seymour has not ruled out the possibility of implementing an infringement scheme, including fines, for parents who persistently fail to ensure their children's regular attendance. The minister has pointed to the common practice of fines for school truancy in many European countries as a potential model for New Zealand.

Addressing Unique Challenges

Seymour recognizes that there may be students who are unable to attend school due to extenuating circumstances, and that a prosecution-based approach would not be effective in those cases. However, he believes that for those who are deliberately flouting the system, prosecution could be a valid intervention to drive improved attendance.

Benchmarking Against International Standards

Seymour has highlighted that New Zealand's school attendance rates are low compared to international standards. The government's target is to have 80% of students attending classes regularly by 2030, with regular attendance defined as being present for more than 90% of the term.

Shifting Priorities in Education Funding

Alongside the attendance initiative, the government has announced a shift in education funding priorities. The $30 million previously allocated to the Te Ahu o te Reo program, which aimed to support teachers in learning te reo Māori, will now be redirected to increasing resources for mathematics education.The comprehensive approach outlined by the government represents a significant effort to address the persistent challenge of chronic absenteeism in New Zealand schools. By empowering schools, collaborating with various agencies, and exploring a range of interventions, the government hopes to drive a meaningful improvement in student attendance and, ultimately, academic outcomes.