Student Attendance - A Unique New Zealand Problem?
As teachers, we are acutely aware of the importance of student attendance for academic success and overall well-being. In recent times, the New Zealand government has taken a keen interest in this issue, acknowledging a concerning trend in declining school attendance rates. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has set forth an ambitious goal to have 80% of students attend school for 90% of the term, highlighting the government’s commitment to reversing this downward trajectory . The government’s Attendance Action Plan emphasizes the significance of attendance and proposes initiatives to address the root causes of absenteeism. But is this absenteeism a local or global phenomenon? and how can it be solved? Global Trends in Student Attendance Globally, the picture of student attendance is complex and multifaceted. While there is a surge in demand for higher education, with projections of an additional one billion post-secondary graduates by 2050 , the scenario at the primary and secondary lev