Students are skipping an average of three weeks a year of school according to recent data released relating to Victorian secondary schools.
While this data relates to secondary schools it would be interesting to view data from the primary sector. My hunch is that it would be just as high, if not higher.
I am amazed by the shift in attitude toward staying away from schoo that has occurred in recent years. Being sick is one thing. But I am hearing stories about children being absent from school for what in the past would have been NO EXCUSE whatsoever. Reasons for absences that I have heard lately include children:
- Staying away to to celebrate their own birthday or a siblings' birthday
- Going shopping for clothes
- Spending time with a parent or relative
- Extended weekend
- Not wanting to take part in school activities such as sports as they don't interest kids
It is not just a matter of taking a day or two off here or there. It seems that there are serial offenders and that is the real worry. It is often the kids who can least afford a day off school who take the most time off.
There needs to be a shift in attitude toward school whereby learning is highly valued by parents. In fact, so highly valued that is not okay for kids to be away from school unless there are good medical grounds or extenuating, family circumstances.
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1 comments:
Hi Michael,
Love this newsletter!
As an educator and a mother, I completely agree with everything you have said. It may seem easier to give in to the nagging child who wants to stay home in the short term but it is the long term problems that will become a greater issue, especially later in Secondary College when students need really strong organisational and resilience skills. If a child is constantly asking to stay at home there is usually an underlying reason and you really need to get to the bottom of it! Don't hesitate to discuss it with your childs' teacher! If your child has had a late night, it is still better to send him/her to school and inform the teacher. The teacher will then be aware and give your student some down time in the classroom, if necessary. I've had some of my 5/6 students asleep on the beanbags in the reading corner!! We really need to instil punctuality and attendance, as these are lifelong skills!
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