Government Data Show Unauthorised School Absences Rise, Nearly Double Pre-Pandemic Rate

The number of unauthorised absences from schools in England increased last year and is nearly double the rate from before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to government figures. Data released from the Department for Education (DfE) on Thursday show that unauthorised absences rose from 2.1 percent in school year 2021/22 to 2.4 percent in 2022/23. This figure is nearly double the rate during 2018/19 (1.4 percent), the last school year before the pandemic and lockdowns, where the government ordered schools to close. Unauthorised absences are when children are absent without the school’s permission, such as parents taking their children on holiday during term time. There are a few instances where children can miss school with permission, including illness, because of religious observances, or exceptional circumstances....