Improving school attendance

The Department of Education and Youth has launched a multimedia campaign to improve school attendance, following the publication of data showing that over one-in-five students miss more than 20 days in a school year.

The campaign, developed in partnership with the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), aims to reduce absenteeism by providing schools, families, and communities with resources to support consistent attendance.

According to the TESS Annual Attendance Report for 2023/24, primary schools recorded 6,247,325 days lost, down from 8,689,829 in 2021/22, representing 8 per cent of total school days. Chronic absenteeism, defined as students missing 20 or more days, fell from 25.1 per cent in 2022/23 to 22.1 per cent in 2023/24. However, rates remain above pre-pandemic levels.

At post-primary level, the total number of days lost rose slightly to 6,029,243, largely due to an increase of 24,000 students in the overall post-primary population. Chronic absenteeism affected 21.2 per cent of students, compared with 22.3 per cent in 2022/23. A significant proportion of absences at post-primary level remain unexplained, while illness continues to be the main cause of absence at primary level.

The campaign also includes a phased rollout of the Anseo Framework, a school-based programme designed to identify attendance patterns and implement targeted interventions. The framework is initially being introduced in 60 schools, with potential expansion to all schools in the State by 2028.

While attendance rates have improved for a second consecutive year, gaps remain, particularly in DEIS primary schools, where 11 per cent of school days were lost in 2023/24.

Overall, the data indicates that absenteeism continues to be a significant challenge across Ireland and highlights the need for coordinated efforts to ensure that students can access the full benefits of education, both academically and socially.

Launching the campaign prior to being reshuffled as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, then-Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee TD, said: “Children and young people in communities across Ireland are missing a concerning number of school days each year. These days add up quickly, and as a result, there is a real risk that many students will not achieve their full potential from education.

“Regular school attendance is essential not just for academic achievement, but also for wellbeing, social development, and long-term life outcomes.”