Published on 

Analysis of School Attendance Data in Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2010/11

Speirs061113NEWB1Post

At the launch of NEWB Attendance Data Report, Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald is pictured with recipients of Special Attendance Awards, Jordan Ajayi, Brandon Dunne, Leah Lynch, Natalie Namuunaa, Brian Ajayi and Mya Lynch from Rutland Street National School.

Ms Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has today (6th November 2013) welcomed the publication of the National Educational Welfare Board’s (NEWB) Analysis of School Attendance Data 2010/11 which shows continued improvement in student attendance from 2009/10 and previous years.

10/11 data show that, in primary schools, just over 6% of total student days are lost through absenteeism while, for post-primary schools, 8% of days are lost. These figures are at the lowest for the five year period 2006/07 – 2010/11. 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.

While data at primary level has remained stable, at post-primary level, the figures for twenty-day absences are the lowest for the five year period. The corresponding figures for post primary schools in socially disadvantaged communities supported by the DEIS* initiative are down 1% from 2009/10 and just over 3% from 2008/09.

Commenting on continued improvement in attendance data Minister Fitzgerald stated:

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.

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.