Pupils skipping school has fast become a serious problem for educationists – and parents. The Guardian’s education editor, Richard Adams, has been investigating why more than 1.7 million schoolchildren in England and Wales miss class 10% of the time. He explains that this figure has gone up 108% since Covid and says the reasons are complex. Mental and physical health issues are being exacerbated by the pandemic, and a breakdown in the relationship between schools and parents can also play a part.
One young girl explains to Nosheen Iqbal what kept her away from class, while her mother talks about the impact of her daughter’s missed education. Jason Mallikarachi, an education welfare officer, discusses how mental health waiting lists are adding to the problem. He worries some children are being failed. But with so many pupils staying away, what can schools and parents do?
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