This section of our website is designed for students.

The National Educational Welfare Board is here to help if there is a problem with school attendance or getting an education.

The NEWB was set up in 2002 to ensure that every child and young person has a fair chance to get to and remain in school.  Educational Welfare Officers are located all around the country to help resolve situations when you have a problem attending school for whatever reason.  The law says that you should not miss more than 20 days in the school year.

In looking at ways of getting children to stay in school, and in line with the work of the National Children’s Office, the NEWB want to find ways to include children and young people in the work we do. We believe that the opinion of any individual on their educational welfare needs to be listened to (see Charter)

In line with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Ireland’s National Children’s Strategy states that ‘children will have a voice in matters which affect them and their views will be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity’.