Anxious students skipping school

Students are regularly skipping school because of anxiety and mental health issues, a report has found.

Attendance was ‘‘persistently low’’ with about a third of school absences ‘‘unjustified’’, according to the report commissioned by the Ministry of Education.

Absenteeism was higher for Ma¯ ori students but causes were likely more than socio-economic differences, it said.

Family, a disinterest in class and mental health issues – particularly anxiety – had a major impact on student rolls.

Anxiety stopped students, not just seniors, from going to school and engaging with school even if they attended, the report said.

‘‘Something I have noticed in the last five years is the increase in the number of students who are not attending because of mental health issues. Anxiety is a huge one,’’ a Wellington teacher said in the report.

Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson said the report was not surprising, noting that the number of students who had experienced mental health issues was ‘‘clearly increasing’’.

The solution was to create a supportive network within schools that focused on wellbeing, safety and cultural relevance.

‘‘We really need to be active in addressing wellbeing and mental health at a school-wide level.’’

Bullying was one of the major factors schools needed to better address in order to achieve that and see a better attendance rate, he said.

Family issues were another major factor in student absence, the report said.

Suppression of culture or identity during the parents’ schooling could cause distrust of schools. That went on to form a lack of interest and contact between parents and schools which, ultimately, led to absenteeism.

The report recommended the Government trial interventions such as sending texts to parents about their child’s attendance and about what they were learning so parents could easily interact with schools. It also suggested schools scheduled ‘‘fun’’ classes early in the morning and immediately after lunch.

The report interviewed 13 Wellington-based teachers from three schools.