In-term holidays face scrutiny

The Education Department has reminded parents of their obligation to send children to school as figures show more than 8 per cent of absences are caused by in-term holidays.

South West regional education executive director Neil Milligan said there was nothing in the School Education Act 1999 that allowed principals to endorse student absences for family holidays or provide homework material for students on holidays.

“Part of the issue is in the way people use vacations to travel, which is cheaper in non-school holiday time,” Mr Milligan said.

“Families continue to still take leave overseas when it suits their budget and work schedule.

“It is a choice of ‘what are you prepared to give up in your NAPLAN score’ for when you take your holidays.”

Education Department figures show 8.4 per cent of all student absences in the South West last year was caused by in-term holidays.

This was below the State figure of 9.2 per cent and also slightly lower than 2014 absence figures.

Attendance figures for the first semester of 2016 have not yet been released.

Manea Senior College principal Rod Rykers said this was an issue for all schools and regular absence meant a student would fall behind in their learning.

“We communicate with our parents advising that such absences are not approved and should be avoided,” Mr Rykers said.

“That said, we encourage early communication so that we are aware if it is going to occur and seek to limit the impact where possible.

“From my perspective the concern sits with the fact that there is a culture that it is OK to have a day off here and there from school.”

Bunbury Primary School associate principal Franca Dillon said the school worked with parents to raise awareness of the importance of attendance.

“The school has had a positive response and over the past two years has seen an increased student attendance level,” Mrs Dillon said.