19 March 2003
Schools Nationwide To Get New Information On Tackling Absenteeism

Schools throughout the country can expect the arrival this week of an important letter which will set out new arrangements to promote regular school attendance and tackle the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving.

The letter will outline the roles and immediate plans of the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), including information on how schools can get in touch with the new Board. Immediate activities will include the appointment of Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) to areas of most need, the development of a Strategic Plan in consultation with Education Partners and the development of National Guidelines to assist schools meet their obligations under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.

This is the first major statement from the NEWB, which was set up in 2002 as the single national body with responsibility for encouraging and supporting regular school
attendance for all children aged six to 16 (previously 15). The Board is also responsible for children who are educated outside of schools, and in an innovative departure, it is responsible for the continuing education and training of young people aged 16 and 17 who leave school early to go into employment.

"The National Educational Welfare Board is firmly rooted in the belief that the welfare of children comes first," explained Eddie Ward, Chief Executive. "Our aim is to deal with the issue of school attendance before it becomes a serious problem by providing assistance and advice to parents and schools proactively. School absenteeism and early school leaving are invariably the manifestations of much larger social issues, which must be addressed."

"Up to now, school attendance had to be largely dealt with reactively, once there was already a problem in existence. With the NEWB, those days are over," he continued.

Towards this, the NEWB will operate on a regional basis so that issues can be dealt with as locally as possible by Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs), supported by regional offices. These EWOs will take the place of the previous school attendance officers, most of whom will transfer to the new service.

"Because we want to help the country's most vulnerable children first, the NEWB's service will be developed on a phased basis in accordance with the resources provided," explained Eddie Ward. "Therefore, children who are not in receipt of an education, areas with high levels of disadvantage and areas that had a school attendance service under the previous legislation will receive priority."

For more information contact: Edel Hackett, 087-2935207