Is it the system that’s wrong? The number of children who stopped going to school rose during the pandemic. But now the lockdowns are over, and they are still not back in class.
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Warning bells as school absences skyrocket
Is it the system that's wrong? The number of children who stopped going to school rose during the pandemic. But now the lockdowns are over, and they are still not back in class.
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>
It is seven o'clock on a Wednesday morning. A mother enters her child's bedroom to wake him up for school. His nose is red and running. Does she send him in?
According to the latest UK governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country. advice, the answer is yes. Britain's NHSThe National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948. says that it is "fine" to send children to school with colds.
The advice is part of a campaignAn organised set of actions to achieve a certain goal. to get more children back in school. Called Moments Matter, Attendance Counts, it aims to bring down cases of absenceSomething that is missing. from school.
Last autumn, 21.2% of pupils in England missed one in ten days of school. And there were 140,000 children who missed school more than half of the time.
Some say the problem is caused by schools not having enough money. This means that many struggle to help children with mental healthThe part of your health that has to do with your mind, your thoughts and feelings. problems or learning difficulties.
Mental health charityAn organisation that helps people in need. It does not make money as a business does. Most people who work for charities are volunteers. This means they are not paid. Mind says that seven out of ten pupils report missing school due to worry or stressFeelings of worry or pressure. .
Is it the system that's wrong?
Yes! Schools do not have enough money to give children the help they need. It should not surprise anyone that many children who are struggling would rather stay at home.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>
No! There are lots of different reasons why someone might miss school. But unless they are very ill, it is a parent's job to make them go to school.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
NHS - The National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948.
Campaign - An organised set of actions to achieve a certain goal.
Absence - Something that is missing.
Mental health - The part of your health that has to do with your mind, your thoughts and feelings.
Charity - An organisation that helps people in need. It does not make money as a business does. Most people who work for charities are volunteers. This means they are not paid.
Stress - Feelings of worry or pressure.
Warning bells as school absences skyrocket
Empty seats: School absences increased during the pandemic but have not dropped down again. Glossary
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
NHS - The National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK. The NHS was founded in 1948.
Campaign - An organised set of actions to achieve a certain goal.
Absence - Something that is missing.
Mental health - The part of your health that has to do with your mind, your thoughts and feelings.
Charity - An organisation that helps people in need. It does not make money as a business does. Most people who work for charities are volunteers. This means they are not paid.
Stress - Feelings of worry or pressure.