There are calls for an urgent government screening of children who are missing out on school due to the cost-of-living crisis.
One in five students from poorer backgrounds was consistently absent last year, official figures show.
A Senedd report says the issues families face, such as travel, uniform and school trip expenses, need to be better understood.
The Welsh Government said improving participation is a “national priority”.
- School absences have more than doubled since Covid
- Truancy fines for returning parents in Wales
Prolonged absenteeism occurs when a student misses more than 20% of classes during the school year.
The report, following an investigation by the Committee on Children, Youth and Education, said it had obtained evidence that school closures during the pandemic had resulted in “more acceptable attitudes towards reduced school attendance” and suggested a public campaign was needed to to reverse the trend.
Figures for October this year show a difference for students who are entitled to free school meals.
Attendance for those who can get free meals is 86.9%, while those who don’t qualify have better attendance at 93.1%.
Children’s Commissioner for Wales Rocio Cifuentes said participation in the survey was also “significantly lower” for children in age groups not entitled to free travel and that tackling child poverty should be a “key factor in reducing absenteeism”.
Jayne Bryant, the Labor committee leader, said sending children to school is an “expensive proposition”.
“Parents have to raise money for uniforms, books, technology, stationery, school bags, school trips, after-school clubs,” she said.
“The lack of free transport is also an issue for many – in a livelihood crisis with rising inflation this is becoming more difficult every day.
“Today we are calling on the Welsh Government to get to the bottom of the impact of rising costs on school attendance and launch national and local campaigns to strengthen the importance of schooling.”
- Schools face staff cuts to balance books – survey
- Why are prices rising so much?
As Covid hit education, ministers advised councils against fining parents for failing to ensure children go to school.
But in May, amid concerns about visitor numbers, councils were asked to return to pre-pandemic guidance.
Education Secretary Jeremy Miles stressed that fines should be a “last resort” and would only be used in the most extreme cases.
In response to the report, Mr Miles said several steps had been taken to support families and schools, including £4million for family officers to work with families and pupils.
“This year we have also allocated £24million focused on learners in exam years, including dedicated funding for an attendance officer in each local authority to support learners,” he added.
Add Comment