New research indicates children are missing school more in New Zealand than other English-speaking countries. 

The Education Review Office found that many parents and students do not priortise going to school. 

The report said schools were seeing serious issues with attendance before the pandemic.

Attendance levels in New Zealand sit below attendance levels in other comparable countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Between 2015 and 2019 the percentage of learners regularly attending school dropped from 70% to 58%.

The report said many New Zealand parents and students don’t prioritise going to school. 

Four in 10 parents are comfortable with their child missing more than a week of school a term. I

In addition to this, a third of students didn’t see going to school every day as that important and, concerningly, nearly a quarter of students said they did not think school was that important for their futures.

The research also highlights barriers that some students face.

For example, students who miss school are more likely to report poor relationships with teachers and peers.

“We need to urgently turn around New Zealand’s falling attendance rate if we want to see our children achieve. This will require action from government, communities, schools, parents, and the learners themselves.”