Summarised by Centrist
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has unveiled new attendance rules aimed at tackling truancy, requiring schools to take action for nearly half of their pupils during winter. The mandatory ‘Stepped Attendance Response’ system, starting in 2026, will prompt schools to issue formal notifications for children with 5-10 days of absence and more serious interventions for those exceeding 15 days. Seymour stressed, “We can’t keep ignoring the truancy crisis” if better social outcomes are desired.
