Impact of attendance on exam performance

The country’s education system has taken centrestage over the past two weeks following the government’s decision to amend the conditions for benefiting from the State subsidy for School Certificate and Higher School Certificate exam fees. Students and parents have taken to the streets while the authorities have tried to find an acceptable solution. Many students argue that 90% attendance does not guarantee exam success. However, stakeholders in the education sector do not share this view.

According to regulations issued by the Ministry of Education, students have to boast a 90 per cent attendance rate at school in order to benefit from the full subsidy towards their exam fees. For those who do meet the criteria, without any valid reason, they will have to pay their own fees. As justification among other reasons, students claim that to succeed at their exams, they have to study at home as the environment is not conducive to their studies. The words of Dr Michael Atchia, world-renowned education specialist, sums the views expressed by educators we interviewed: in a country where education is free and compulsory, attendance should also be compulsory.

For Suttyhudeo Tengur, President of the Government Hindi Teachers Union (GHTU), “exam performance depends on class attendance.” He explains that it is essential for students to respect the school calendar from the start till the end of the semesters. “There are anomalies concerning the percentage of attendance and absenteeism. There is a problem at the management level and this has resulted in a chaotic situation. Over the past years, the rate of failure has been around 40% and this is alarming.”

In order to improve academic performance, he states that there should be maximum contact between students and teachers. “Attendance is a means to be in contact with teachers. There is a school of thought which believes that students do not spend enough time with teachers which results in bad performances. It is important that students receive much attention. It is time to reflect on how to improve our education system.” 

Former Education Minister Dharam Gokhool, says that attendance is crucial and schools have a defined programme which students should follow and thus, they need to attend classes. “At the University of Mauritius, each lecturer prepares a study programme for each week from the start till the end and shares it with the students who are aware of what awaits them. In this way, absenteeism at the university is very low. Similarly, the same approach should be adopted in colleges.”

He states that secondary institutions must create conditions that allow students to get engaged in various activities. “For a good performance, attendance is crucial. It is true that students complain that no work is done in class. In order to improve the situation, it is important to promote transparency. There should be strict monitoring by the PSSA and Ministry [of Education].” He further adds “if school wants to attract students, a detailed programme is needed to address the problem of absenteeism.”   

Jacques Mallié: “Success is guaranteed for those who are regular” 

Former rector of St-Esprit College, Jacques Mallié, states that attendance is extremely important and students should be disciplined. “Attendance is very important and students should be regular. Academic performance will depend on the attendance of every students. There is an educational curriculum that needs to be followed. Success is guaranteed for students who master their curriculum and have been attentive in their studies.”

According to him, it has become something of a trend for students to be absent during their final year of studies. “Not all students want to be absent. Some students imitate their classmates. They just pretend that teachers do not work in class. Many teachers prepare revision classes but the students do not show much interest. They do not understand that being in class can help them through group work and enhance their knowledge.”  

Dr Michael Atchia: “Attendance should be compulsory”

Education specialist Dr Michael Atchia states that a classroom is a learning space – a room, lecture theatre, laboratory, or gymnasium – in which classes are held. “Classrooms are found in educational institutions of all kinds, from kindergarten to university, and may also be found in other places where education or training is provided. A classroom costs a lot of money in terms of infrastructure, lighting, seating and working furniture, equipment appropriate to the subject, materials such as books, IT sources, and notebooks, among others. Most importantly, a trained teacher or teachers. You cannot get around this fact: students must be present in class for the course they are registered for. To be absent (except for reasons of illness) is the epitome of carelessness and missed opportunities to progress along the learning curve. In the context of free compulsory education, attendance should also be compulsory!”

He believes that there is a close correlation between regular attendance in class, the hard work of teaching and learning that goes with it and the outcome. The outcome, mainly in terms of learning, is reflected when properly assessed as performance. “Several factors contribute to success in exams: good teaching, continuous monitoring of the performance of each student and remedial action, mastery of examination techniques, including time-planning. There is no doubt that regular attendance in class is essential. Imagine the gaps created in the learning curve of a student who, for example missed one school day every three days!”

He advises students to study in groups and to seek the help of teachers. “The immediate goal of studying is to help you understand, remember, and develop the ability to recall and apply the acquired knowledge. There is an advantage of studying in a group, with the guidance of your teacher.”