Recent research reveals a troubling increase in school absenteeism across Irish schools, particularly impacting disadvantaged students. According to a report published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), the average number of days lost per student and the rate of chronic absenteeism have both risen since the pandemic. This trend raises concerns about the long-term implications for educational equality in Ireland.
The study utilized administrative data to analyze attendance patterns from the 2022/23 to 2023/24 academic years. It found that while there has been a modest improvement in attendance rates among primary schools, a significant number of schools have reported an increase in absenteeism. The data indicates that a large portion of post-primary schools is experiencing a deteriorating attendance situation.
Disparities in Attendance Among Schools
The research highlights that schools in disadvantaged areas are more likely to face attendance challenges. Despite some improvements in absolute terms for these schools, they are not recovering as well as their more affluent counterparts. Emer Smyth, co-author of the report, emphasized the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities. She noted that socio-economic factors, including child poverty and mental health issues, play a crucial role in school engagement.
“It is particularly worrying that attendance in primary and post-primary DEIS schools is not recovering as well as non-DEIS schools in the post-COVID period,” Smyth stated. The report calls for comprehensive support measures, including the proposed DEIS plus model, to ensure that disadvantaged schools receive the necessary resources to improve attendance rates.
The data revealed that in 2023/24, 28% of students in DEIS schools missed 20 or more days of school, compared to 19% of students in non-DEIS schools. This indicates a significant gap in attendance linked to socio-economic status. Additionally, primary schools within the DEIS programme reported that 35% of students in Urban Band 1 schools missed a substantial amount of school, highlighting the challenges faced by these institutions.
Addressing the Root Causes of Absenteeism
The report also points to the need for large-scale interventions to combat the rising levels of truancy. Co-author Anna Moya expressed concern that higher absenteeism rates among socio-economically disadvantaged students could lead to increased inequalities in later life opportunities. “The greater absences among schools serving socio-economically disadvantaged children is concerning,” she remarked.
Other findings revealed that while primary and post-primary schools saw a modest reduction in chronic absenteeism rates, significant gaps remain. The study identified that special schools experienced particularly high levels of absence, and attendance rates were lower in multi-denominational schools compared to Catholic or minority faith schools.
The authors noted that around a quarter of schools did not submit absentee figures due to administrative burdens, which limits the ability to analyze attendance in relation to students’ socio-economic circumstances. This gap in data could hinder efforts to develop effective strategies to tackle absenteeism.
In conclusion, the report underscores the pressing need for targeted support and interventions for schools facing the greatest challenges with attendance. By addressing the socio-economic barriers that contribute to absenteeism, there is potential for improving educational outcomes and fostering a more equitable system in Ireland.
