Dozens of Tasmanian students missed more than 180 days of school in 2015.
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New data from the Department of Education, released on Tuesday, found some students missed more than 180 days out of about 200 scheduled days in the school year in 2015.
Primary schools had relatively fewer absences when compared to high schools and colleges, but still recorded students being away for up to 60 days.
Schools in the North with the most students missing 150 days or more of school in 2015 included Brooks High School with 14 students, Kings Meadows, Prospect and Parklands high schools with five students, Queechy High School with 17, and Wynyard High School with nine.
Absentee numbers in some cases were relevant to school size, but Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the data showed school non-attendance rates were too high.
“Research shows periods of absence from school have a detrimental effect on a student’s future achievement, with every day missed by a child linked with a lower attainment outcome,” Mr Rockliff said.
“The Education Bill 2016 proposes several measures to help resolve issues associated with students not attending school, such as a compulsory conciliation conference run by independent conciliators.
“The government wants all students to receive the same opportunities for face-to-face learning, to keep them connected with their peers and the school environment.”
Many high schools across Tasmania recorded having more than 30 students absent for up to 39 days.
Labor leader Bryan Green said these absences needed to be addressed.
“There are so many complex factors that contribute to the reasons why young people have extended absences from school,” Mr Green said.
“We need to address the underlying issues in the community that lead to young people being disconnected from education.
“The government needs to offer support to parents who are facing challenges keeping young people in schools.”