Shock over school absenteeism figures

Figures obtained by the Ulster Unionist Party show primary and secondary school children in the area have attendance records equating to less than 85% for the entire school year.

12-15 year-olds living within the Coolessan and Greystone regions are the worst offenders; a total of 598 per thousand have missed school on a regular basis, whilst 97 primary aged children per thousand fall behind the 85% average. Local UUP representative for the area Jack Rankin described the figures as "disturbing".

Alderman Rankin said: "These figures do relate to a deprivation area in the town. It is quite clear that need to take it on themselves to make sure their child is going to school and getting an education. Those that are not going to school are being deprived of an education."

This is a sad reflection on the education system in Limavady. We need our community groups to help to improve this situation for the benefit of these children.

"I will be taking it on myself to look into what way we can improve this. Something needs to be done and it needs to be done today,"

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Jnr obtained figures from the Minister of Education after a question was tabled in October 2009. They show the rate per thousand of primary school pupils and post-primary pupils, that have less than eighty-five percent attendance, broken down by (local council area; and electoral ward within each local council area in 2007/08. Ballykelly came out with the lowest number of primary aged children per thousand with an attendance record lower than 85 per cent, with just 7.6 per 1,000. 12-15 year-old's living in the Highlands area of the borough came out tops with 33.9 per thousand having a poor record. Ulster Unionist MLA David McClarty has called the revelations "staggeringly inadequate".

He said: "When, in some wards, up on 35 per cent of students in year 12 and above are attending school less than 85 per cent of the time, we have a real problem on our hands.

"While there are of course large variations in school attendance across Coleraine and Limavady, wards such as Ballysally and Churchland in Coleraine and Greystone in Limavady are of particular concern when it comes to the 15-17 year old age group."

Mr McClarty continued: "In the post primary sector generally, one quarter of children from the wards of Coolessan, Limavady, and Royal Portrush, Coleraine, attend school less than 85 per cent of the time. Effectively one quarter of these children are not attending school for one week in every six.

The MLA says poor attendance at school may affect children's futures.

"These are deeply troubling statistics, and unfortunately foreshadow a lifetime of difficulty for those affected.

"It is all too clear that there is an ethos of non-attendance that must be addressed as a matter of urgency if we are to improve the prospects of these communities.

"This is a problem that has wide-ranging implications and appears to be falling through the cracks in the system. If the habits of regular attendance are not achieved at school, how do we expect a young person to attend regularly at work and hold onto their job?"

Chair of Coolessan Community Association Sheila McWilliams says more needs to be done to help parents in the area.

Sheila said: "I feel that if the out of hours schooling was offered to the parents as well as the youth there maybe more of education attainment in this ward and maybe build up the confidence in our young generation to see the future in a better light."