Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary, has expressed concern about a noticeable rise in the number of children missing school on Fridays, attributing the trend to parents working from home.
Keegan highlighted a significant increase in the number of students absent from school by 50,000 students at the end of the week compared to Mondays, which poses major challenges for educational institutions. Parents are reportedly withdrawing their children from classes for long weekends and holidays, exacerbating the problem.
According to an analysis of government data, school absences on Fridays have increased by 20%, while unauthorized absences on holidays have risen by 25% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Keegan stressed that boosting attendance is a serious concern, especially with official figures indicating that absenteeism rates will continue to rise after 2020.
Acknowledging the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on school attendance, Keegan stressed the need to address the outstanding issue of children with sub-standard attendance records. It aims to restore the social norm of daily attendance and firmly states that it is unacceptable for parents to deliberately keep their children out of school.
Keegan's guidance extends Covid-era practices, suggesting that children with minor illnesses or mild anxiety should continue to attend school. Despite the government's efforts to reduce truancy, rates remain at 7%, prompting Keegan to issue a warning against considering school attendance voluntary.
Detailed data analysis has enabled targeted interventions such as attendance centers and mentors to support schools and parents. Keegan emphasized a support-first approach, along with increased fines for frequent absences, underscoring the importance of every missed school day.
While some attribute higher rates of absenteeism to parents working from home, others see broader factors such as mental health issues and socioeconomic challenges as the primary driver. However, Keegan remains steadfast in her commitment to ensuring that every child receives the education they deserve, emphasizing the crucial role of regular school attendance in shaping their future success.
