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.“
