Absenteeism in schools : New measures rolled out

Absenteeism has been a major problem faced by school management in the recent years. This week, a report has been submitted containing a series of measures to tackle various issues facing the education system. Tackling absenteeism being one of them. If some welcome the proposed measures, others claim that more emphasis should have been laid on sanctions. Madoo Ramjee, from the Association of Rectors, is of the opinion that the role of parents could have been given more prominence. “The government has prepared this report at a time when all of us were preparing for the new academic year. The report has concentrated mostly on the types of absences. We want to know if one has reported the absence of a student is reported, what will be its implications once the parents have been notified. What will the legal framework provide for? It is not clear. Many a times, parents are unaware that their children have been absent from school. When they are informed about it, they do not take any step and remain passive. If after reporting a case, the parents respond to the school management as responsible parties, it would make a difference,” he says. Madoo Ramjee points out that the government must come with a clearer report charting out the role of parents.

Jacques Malie: “Its implementation remains difficult” For education expert Jacques Malie, there is nothing new in the report. “The measures already exist. This report is vacuous. Its implementation remains difficult and perplex. It will be difficult to put everything that has been stated into practice,” he avers. He concurs with Madoo Ramjee that more emphasis should be laid upon the role of parents. In his opinion, a good communication between school management and parents would be an effective way to amend the situation. “Most often, parents become the accomplice when children are absent from schools. They must understand that private tuitions cannot replace the school setting. These measures require huge work. Very often, when students obtain border line pass marks, we given them additional marks based on their attitude and attendance,” Jacques Malie adds. According to him, more steps must be taken to empower students and to make them responsible. Bashir Taleb: “A sigh of relief” Bashir Taleb, education expert, appreciates the initiative taken by the government. “It is a sigh of relief. It is something that we have been waiting for. This will help to empower both p arents and students to be responsible. It was certainly time to take action as there has been exaggerated absenteeism in the colleges. Now, that there would be legal actions, both parents and students would be aware that there is a threshold which they cannot cross,” he points out. Bashir Taleb welcomes the framework established by the government. “The framework will determine the efficiency of the initiatives. We teachers, do not like to take drastic actions against students. Instead, we help them as much as we can. We will certainly not use this power against the students but the limit must be taken into consideration,” he says. Having a law concerning private tuitions during school hours, is another step which he commends. “Private tuition has been a serious problem. This contributes to the lower attendance rate. One cannot give tuition during school hours. There must be a law prohibiting it,” he underlines.

Some of the measures of the Student Attendance Policy

Authorised absences- are days away from school for reasonable and/or other urgent unforeseen causes, like medical reasons, natural or other calamity, exceptional family circumstances, emergencies or other unavoidable causes and personal reasons limited to not more than 5 days in any academic year. Absences for personal reasons in excess of five days will be reckoned as being unauthorized.
Persistent absenteeism (PA)- A student will be classified as a ‘persistent absentee’ when he/she misses his schooling for a cumulative period of 20 or more days across the academic year, excluding medical leave or such other leave as duly approved by the Ministry. Absence at this level is considered as being damaging to any student’s educational prospects and full parental support and co-operation is required to tackle this.
The total number of authorized absences, including the absences for personal reasons, shall be limited to a maximum of 15 days in any academic year, excluding approved absences where leave has been granted as per section 8 above and periods of prolonged illness where medical leave has been recommended by a medical practitioner.
In case a student will not be able to attend school, the Responsible Party should on the first day of absence inform the school by phone or by way of a message.
A Responsible Party shall on the first day of resumption after an absence or period of absence, submit to the school a written note providing the reason(s) for the absence(s).
A medical certificate should be submitted for any absence in excess of THREE consecutive days.
The report lays emphasis on the responsibilities of administrators, teachers, parents as well as the students themselves.

Younous Ally Doomah: “An encouraging step”

Younous Ally Doomah, president of Parent Teacher’s Association (PTA) of SSS St Aubin, says that the government has taken a step in the right direction. “It is an encouraging step which the government has taken. These measures will allow parents to be aware of the conduct of their children. Often, parents do not know if their children have reached school,” he says. However, he suggests that more patrol have to be done by the police department “Brigade des Mineurs”.

William Wong: “Will curb parents’ problems”

William Wong, president of Parent Teacher’s Association (PTA) of BPS Beau-Bassin, points out that these measures will not only benefit students, but will also provide some relief to parents. “These measures will curb many parents’ problems. This will enable them to have records whenever their children are absent from school,” he adds. William Wong believes that more surveillance has to be done in places such as commercial centres and other places.