Truancy falls by 30% over 2014 scholastic year

Absenteeism recorded during academic year 2014/2015 decreased by 9.2 per cent when compared with the previous academic year. Authorised absences increased by 7.5 per cent and made up 65.0 per cent of total absences. The number of unauthorised absences decreased by 29.4 per cent.

The average number of absences during the period under review stood at 11.9 days per student, a decrease of 1.1 days per student when compared to the previous academic year. On average, students recorded 7.7 days of authorised and 4.2 days of unauthorised absences in one academic year.

In absolute terms, male students recorded higher levels of absenteeism when compared to their female counterparts. The average level of absence among males was found to be higher compared to that of females for the majority of class levels, with the exception of Form 4 and Form 5 students.

Student absenteeism in state schools decreased by 15.3 per cent during academic year 2014/2015. The majority of these absences were authorised, accounting for 60.5 per cent of total absenteeism in state schools. Authorised absences in state schools increased by 6.3 per cent. Increases in both authorised and unauthorised absences were registered in both independent and church schools.

Students of all ages recorded lower levels of unauthorised absences when compared to the previous academic year. The lowest average number of absences was recorded among ten year olds at 7.9 days, while 16 year olds held the highest average number of absences at 31.1 days.

Students attending state schools located in the Northern district registered the sharpest drop in their absence levels. On average, students attending state schools located in the Northern Harbour district accumulated the highest average number of absences (18.0 days per student). On the other hand, the lowest average number of absences was recorded in the Western district and stood at 9.9 days per student.