Education Minister Helen McEntee addressed the alarming absenteeism figures, emphasizing the necessity for action amidst reports of 110,000 primary and 65,000 secondary school children missing significant school days.
"District teachers have experienced anxiety and confusion in knowing what is prohibited by the Resolution and fear extreme repercussions without guardrails for even accidental violations."
In recent years we have seen a decline in regular attendance and a rise in the number of children and young people missing a concerning number of school days.