February 6th 2007
Public survey on attitudes towards school attendance
Majority of public are aware of the impact of poor school attendance

Need for parents to have relevant information to make informed choices

A public survey, carried out as part of independent research on school attendance by MORI Ireland for the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), reveals that most adults are aware of the impact of poor school attendance on a child’s education. 

The survey, the first to examine public attitudes towards and perceptions of school attendance, shows that 82% of the public believe that missing more than 20 days at primary school (the threshold beyond which schools must report absence to NEWB) has a negative impact on a child’s school work.
The MORI Ireland Guth an Phobail survey was carried out in December 2005 of 1,000 adults aged 18 and over, 325 of whom were parents. The findings will help the Board to design initiatives to promote school attendance and also highlight the need for more research into the experience of being a parent in Ireland today.

The report published today reveals that the public tend to regard missing school at primary level as slightly less significant than missing time at post-primary level. However the evidence gathered by NEWB and schools indicates that early patterns of non-attendance are habit forming. In other words, a child who misses school regularly in primary school is more likely to go on missing school at post-primary level and is also more likely to drop out of school.

The survey findings show that 16% of parents take their children out of school for holidays, with 46% of respondents citing economic reasons (i.e. cheaper holidays or cheaper fares) as a reason.  Other reasons given included, the time suits the family (29%) or that it is the only time people can get time off work (17%).

The survey explored the reasons why children miss school. The majority of people surveyed (52% and 54% of the general public and parents respectively) apportion responsibility for non-attendance to parents. The second most frequent reason given was illness, cited by 30% and 38% of the general public and parents, respectively. A significant minority (19% of the public and 13% of parents) believe that children miss school because they are not interested in school, while only a tiny minority see school absenteeism as being related to the child’s socio-economic background, or suitability of the curriculum.  Only 8% of the public and 4% of parents believe that children miss school on account of problems with teachers.

Respondents were also asked to consider aspects of school life that they considered most important.  Most people (54% of parents) regard personal development as the most important aspect of school life, highlighting the significance parents place on the broader role school life plays in the development of young people, beyond the school curriculum.

“This public survey shows that the majority of people are aware of the importance of good school attendance. NEWB must build on this awareness so that parents have relevant information in order to make informed choices for their children. Each year, over 84,000 children under the age of 16 miss more than 20 days of school. We must work towards reducing the levels of avoidable absences by children whether due simply to casual non attendance or holidays during term. Absences from school disrupts a child’s learning and must be made up for later”, said Eddie Ward, CEO of the NEWB.

 “Good school attendance patterns are developed at primary school and if children are given the message that it is not okay to miss school during term time they could avoid falling into a pattern of missing school which can lead to poorer exam results and early school leaving.

“Many thousands of our children and young people do not attend school regularly and their life chances are limited by that fact. The State is struggling with skill shortages at a time when 1 in 20 students do not sit the Junior Certificate, the minimum educational certification, and 1 in 5 do not sit the Leaving Certificate.  In the long term, this gives rise to other costs to the State in the form of increased supports and to the individual in terms of unfulfilled potential.  In addition, investment in teachers and schools is being lost out on through absenteeism.

“Research shows that intervening early and preventively works well with children, young people and families.  The State has an obligation to ensure that the necessary services are in place to help children and families.  We must also focus on raising awareness in society generally of the importance of education and the positive role that regular school attendance, particularly at primary level, has to play in getting good outcomes for all”, he added.

The survey also asked whether individuals had heard of the NEWB which was launched nationally in January 2004.  At the time of the survey, December 2005, 42% of parents and 30% of the general public had heard of NEWB. Half of the parents surveyed who were aware of the Board also knew that its role was concerned with school attendance.  A further 19% of parents viewed the Board as having a role in student welfare and protection of children.  The survey report concludes that while the levels of awareness of the NEWB and its role are encouraging, the Board should take further steps to promote its services among parents and families.

Download Report (PDF)

For further information contact:

Elaine O’Mahoney

01 8738603/087 130 8799