Parents in Wales are struggling to afford to send their children to school due to soaring living costs, a new report has claimed. Rising costs of travel, uniforms, equipment and school trips are all having an impact on attendance, according to new research published by the Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee on Monday.
The report heard concerning evidence from parents about the impact of costs on school terms including one pupil who could not attend exams after being unable to afford a private bus when rising fuel costs halted school bus services. It comes just weeks after new data showed huge numbers of children in Wales are still missing school this term. The Welsh Government stats showed pupils in crucial GCSE exam years 10 and 11 and those eligible for free school meals are the most likely to be off this term. You can read more about that here.
However, while it noted Welsh Government data which showed average non-Covid related absenteeism from schools was higher than overall absence prior to the pandemic, the report said comparing the figures was difficult due to changes in how absences were measured being introduced in the past two years.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales told the committee that attendance figures were “significantly lower” for children in year groups which are not entitled to free travel and called for action to be taken, adding that some of the support for travel was "not fit for purpose" in Wales.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council told the committee that transport for pupils had "broken down due to fuel costs" which had impacted attendance for some including one year 11 pupil who did not attend exams because organised bus provision stopped and they were unable to pay private bus costs until the council stepped in.
The report also showed parents were worried about the cost of uniforms despite Welsh Government support. The Children's Commissioner quoted one parent as saying "schools are far too expensive for people who can barely afford food" and also highlighted concerns over the cost of supplies like books, technology and other equipment.
The report also said pandemic-induced school closures and restrictions had led to a "more accepting attitude to school absence for some families." It added: "It is now essential that schools, local authorities, and the Welsh Government work together to reinforce messaging about the importance of school attendance."
As of October 2022, the attendance for the current academic year, showed the lowest attendance for pupils in year 11 and highest attendance for pupils in year 7. Attendance was higher for those pupils not eligible for free school meals than for those pupils eligible for free school meals, at 93.1% attendance compared to 86.9% attendance.
The report called on the Welsh Government to commission a study into the impact of the cost of living on school attendance, as well as for a national campaign emphasising the importance of attendance and publishing more data on de-registration and returning to schools.
Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee Jayne Bryant MS said: "The impact absence from school has on young people can’t be underestimated. Not only does it affect educational attainment it can also have an impact on mental health and well-being.
"The pandemic has impacted children and young people in many ways. Following school closures and changing work patterns for parents, we have heard how it has also changed attitudes towards attendance at school.
"Sending children to school is also an expensive business for families. Parents have to find money for uniforms, books, technology, stationery, school bags, school trips, after school clubs. The lack of free transport is also an issue for many - in a cost of living crisis with rising inflation, this is getting even harder every day.
"Today, we’re calling on the Welsh Government to get to the bottom of how rising costs are impacting pupil attendance and to start campaigns nationwide and locally reinforcing the importance of school attendance."
Responding to the report, Education Minister Jeremy Miles said several steps had been taken to support families and schools, including £4m for family engagement officers to work with families and pupils.
"This year we also provided £24m which was focused on learners in exam years, including dedicated funding for an attendance officer in each local authority to support learners," he added.
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