The Congress voted today on a report calling for urgent action to reverse heightened levels of school absenteeism and safeguard young people’s right to education.
The report, Missing out: tackling school absenteeism in Europe’s communities, warns that absenteeism has risen substantially in many countries since the COVID-19 pandemic, threatening pupils’ educational attainment and mental health, social skills and future prospects. Persistent absence increases the risk of early school leaving, unemployment and social exclusion. High levels of absenteeism also risk undermining the development of the skills and qualifications that Europe’s future workforce and economies will need.
It calls for action by authorities at every level, including to:
- Agree a common European definition of school absenteeism which, were adopted, would enable countries and local and regional authorities to compare trends and identify where action is needed.
- Record every pupil’s attendance systematically, sharing data across relevant levels of government in accordance with data protection rules.
- Introduce early-warning systems to identify pupils at risk before occasional absence becomes persistent.
- Coordinate support across schools, families and public services, addressing causes such as bullying, illness, special educational needs, poverty and unstable living conditions, and providing flexible routes back into education.
The report also calls for adequate resources and training for local and regional authorities, targeted support for vulnerable pupils, and a balance between supportive interventions and appropriate enforcement of legal obligations.
“Tackling school absenteeism is a matter of educational equity: every young person must have the opportunity to learn, develop and fulfil their potential. This requires an inclusive, coordinated approach that brings together parents, teachers, schools, support services and the education system as a whole, so that early warning signs are recognised and the right support is provided before absence becomes persistent.” said report co-rapporteur, Liesa Scholzen (Belgium, ILDG).
Anita Sollie (Norway, EPP/CCE), co-rapporteur, said: “A common European definition of school absenteeism and more consistent attendance data would give schools and authorities a much clearer picture and help them to address this issue. School absenteeism is a shared challenge that requires action at every level of government. By tackling this problem now, we can defuse the ticking timebomb that is threatening the future of many young people and endangering the civic and economic welfare of our communities”.
The Congress stresses that education is a human right, and that ensuring effective access to education and encouraging regular school attendance are obligations reflected in Council of Europe human rights standards.
***
51st Session
Agenda – Web file – Photos
