The Absenteeism Crisis in Schools
In a survey conducted in England, 8,411 teachers and school administrators working in public schools were asked about the reasons students do not attend school, aside from illness. According to the results, 51% of students are absent due to fatigue after events, 87% due to the desire to take a vacation during the term, and 76% due to family activities.
According to the study, more than half of the students are absent due to being tired from activities the night before. Another noteworthy finding is that families tend to not send their children to school due to disputes with the schools.
John Camp, the president of the Association of School and College Leaders, has stated that this situation signifies the deterioration of the unwritten social contract between families and schools. Camp underscores the importance of a positive shift in the national discourse about education and the necessity of implementing measures to encourage consistent school attendance.
Camp also points to the increased rates of absenteeism in the post-pandemic period, highlighting the need to address the underlying reasons that students struggle to attend school. Moreover, he calls for the resolution of conflicts between families and schools.
The Department for Education has announced measures aimed at reducing absenteeism, including the increase of fines for unauthorized absences. Nevertheless, Camp argues that resolving this issue requires not only penal measures but also enhanced support for students' mental health and elevating the societal value of education. Teachers and school administrators, in collaboration with families and students, can overcome this challenge by emphasizing the importance of education.