Education Secretary Kirsty Williams has welcomed new figures that show absenteeism from primary schools in Wales has fallen over the last decade (Thurs 15th Dec).
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Official statistics released today show that in 2015/16 the overall absenteeism rate remained at 5.1% and has been falling since 2006/07.
The rate of unauthorised absence from primary schools stands at 1.1%. Just over 1 in 70 pupils were persistent absentees and illness was the most common reason for absence.
Kirsty Williams said:
“These figures are to be welcomed as they show absenteeism from our primary schools has fallen over the last decade.
“I want to thank pupils, parents and teachers for their hard work in achieving this. The fact is if our young people are going to achieve their full potential, going to school regularly and consistently is crucial.
“Despite the progress we have seen, we can’t afford to be complacent and we will continue to take action to improve attendance in our schools.”