Urgent action is needed to reverse heightened levels of school absenteeism and safeguard young people’s right to education, says the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in its report, “Missing out: tackling school absenteeism in Europe’s communities”.
Persistent school non-attendance threatens health, social inclusion, work
Absenteeism has risen substantially in many countries since the COVID-19 pandemic, threatening pupils’ educational attainment and mental health, social skills, future work prospects, also creating a risk of shortages in the skills and workforce that European economies need.
Liesa Scholzen (Belgium, ILDG), co-rapporteur, said during the discussion: “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.”
Anita Sollie (Norway, EPP/CCE), the second co-rapporteur, noted: “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. 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”.
School absenteeism is a shared challenge; action needed at every level of government
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. It calls on authorities of 46 Council of Europe states to act at every level. In particular, European countries should agree a common European definition of school absenteeism and record every pupil’s attendance systematically, sharing data across relevant levels of government in accordance with data-protection rules. Early-warning systems should be introduced to identify pupils at risk before occasional absence becomes persistent. And there should be more coordination 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 pupils in situations of vulnerability, and a balance between supportive interventions and appropriate enforcement of legal obligations.
Read the school-absenteeism report in full
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