Worst truancyrates in Cawand Victoria

Education Minister John O’Dowd warned that high absenteeism rates may be a “symptom of an underlying problem.”

The truancy rates in the Victoria and Caw wards were amongst the worst in Londonderry. They were also amongst the worst 13 per cent in Northern Ireland in 2010/11, according to new figures released by the Education Minister.

Only in the Brandywell ward where a quarter of pupils missed at least 30 school days in 2010/11 was their a lower attendance rate.

The worst rates in the city were as follows: Brandywell (248.6 of 1,000 pupils had less than 85 per cent attendance; 24 per cent), Victoria (213.6 of 1,000 pupils; 21.3 per cent), Caw (208.1 of 1,000 pupils; 20 per cent) and Shantallow East (200 of 1,000 pupils; 20 per cent).

Overall Londonderry had the second worst truancy rate in Northern Ireland with a rate of 129.6 per 1,000 pupils attending less than 160 days of the 190 day academic year in 2010/11.

Strabane also posted a worryingly high rate with 127.4 per 1,000 pupils attending less than 85 per cent of lessons.

And whilst Limavady had a considerably lower truancy rate overall (92.4 per 1,000 pupils) the Coolessan ward was among the worst ten areas in all of Northern Ireland, out of over 500, for pupils missing school.

Education Minister John O’Dowd said he viewed the high levels of absenteeism as manifest in some Londonderry wards as symptomatic of an “underlying problem.”

“The Department collects pupil level attendance information which allows for in-depth analysis of patterns and levels of absence, by school and pupil characteristics, informing how current approaches to tackling poor attendance might be more effectively targeted,” stated Mr O’Dowd.

“The Education Welfare Service (EWS) receives referrals from schools when pupils’ attendance is a cause for concern or when attendance drops below 85 per cent.

“The EWS also supports schools through proactive work on attendance strategies and advising on attendance policy.

“My Department recently commissioned a research study to identify strategies which are successful in improving attendance in schools serving deprived areas.

“The findings of the research will be published in May 2012 and my Department will be working with EWS to develop guidance for schools on promoting good attendance.

“My Department regards non-attendance at school as a symptom of an underlying problem and additional steps are being taken to address the issues which are faced by vulnerable groups such as Traveller pupils and looked after children.

The table below details the rate per thousand of Post-primary school pupils enrolled with less than 85% attendance by District Council Area in 2010/11,” he added.