Education Ministry Looking To Boost School Attendance
By: , April 17, 2015The Key Point:
The Facts
- Rev. Thwaites noted that for the academic year 2013/2014, the national attendance rates were 79.4 per cent for infant schools and departments; 86.3 per cent at the primary level; and 82.7 per cent for secondary schools.
- Rev. Thwaites said focus will be placed on making classes more interesting to stimulate the interest of students.
The Full Story
The Ministry of Education will be implementing several measures aimed at increasing the national attendance rates at the infant, primary and secondary levels.
Portfolio Minister, Rev. Ronald Thwaites, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 15.
Rev. Thwaites noted that for the academic year 2013/2014, the national attendance rates were 79.4 per cent for infant schools and departments; 86.3 per cent at the primary level; and 82.7 per cent for secondary schools.
“Of the three levels, primary had the highest attendance rate,” he noted.
Among the recommendations to improve attendance are: enforcing compulsory education and establishing tracking mechanisms for identifying and reporting incidents of truancy.
The Ministry also plans to increase parental accountability through sensitisation, engagement in school activities, and follow-up by school personnel.
Rev. Thwaites said focus will be placed on making classes more interesting to stimulate the interest of students.