By Matthew Sims
The number of students taking days off school has continued to climb following the Covid pandemic.
School attendance data for the 2019 to 2023 period revealed absenteeism for Year 7 students in Cardinia increased by 38.95 percent, while the number of absent days across students in Casey increased by 33.82 percent.
Comparing the 2019 and 2023 years, there were a number of high jumps across a number of year levels.
In Cardinia, the most significant increase in absenteeism occurred at Year 8, increasing by 57.48 per cent – from an average of 21.4 days to 33.7 days.
Other increases included a 53 per cent increase in Year 9, a 47.8 per cent increase in Year 10 and a 39.1 per cent increase for Grade 6.
In Casey, the most significant increase was found at the Year 10 level with a 45.5 per cent increase – from an average of 20.2 days to 29.4 days.
Other increases included in Year 8 (43.8 per cent), Year 11 (38.3 per cent) and Year 7 (34.3 per cent).
When compared with 10 years ago, the increases were more significant.
The highest jump in Cardinia was in Grade 6, with a 55 per cent increase in the average number of days absent, increasing from 16.5 days to 25.6 days.
Other significant increases from 2013 to 2023 included a 50.6 per cent increase in absenteeism in Grade 5 and a 46 per cent increase for Grade 3 students.
In Casey, the most significant increase in the average number of absent days occurred within Year 11 students, increasing by 87.6 per cent.
Other increases from 2013 to 2023 included a 68.7 per cent increase within the Year 12 cohort, 66.1 per cent for Year 10, 56.1 per cent for Year 8 and 46.3 for Grade 2.
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath said there was an “urgent need“ to address the increase in absenteeism.
“These Year 7 students lost up to 150 days of face-to-face learning during the pandemic which has significantly impacted their educational continuity,“ she said.
“Regional schools are facing a chronic teacher shortage; principals are under pressure and too many students are feeling heightened anxiety in the school setting.
“As a former secondary school teacher, I know that less time in the classroom will only reduce a student’s ability to learn the essential skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce and pursue future educational and career pathways.“
