Regional Victorian students are struggling to keep engaged in the classroom, with new data revealing a concerning increase in rates of student absenteeism across the regions.
Department of Education data has confirmed 354,549 days of school were missed by Year 7 students in regional Victorian Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 2023 – an increase of 33.6 per cent compared to 2019.
The data reveals significant absentee rate increases within the Euroa electorate despite a fall in the number of full time equivalent (FTE) enrolled students over this same period, including:
- Mitchell – Saw a 33 per cent increase in the average absent days per student despite 3 fewer student enrolments.
- Benalla – 37 per cent increase in the average absent days per student despite 35 fewer student enrolments.
- Strathbogie – 139 per cent increase in the average absent days per student despite 27 fewer student enrolments.
- Greater Bendigo – 47 per cent increase despite 75 fewer student enrolments.
- Greater Shepparton – 10 per cent increase despite 187 fewer student enrolments.
- Campaspe – 41 per cent increase in the average absent days per student, although there were 6 additional student enrolments.
The continued disengagement of students in the classroom comes as the most recent Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) data confirms 15-year-old Victorian student reading, mathematics and science outcomes are at record lows.
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said the local figures were deeply concerning.
“With so many of our regional towns dealing with significant disadvantage, it is imperative that education opportunities are there for our younger generations and that young people are kept engaged,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We’ve already seen this government fail to uphold promises when it comes to improvements for our local schools, and now we are seeing areas like the Strathbogie Shire have the second largest increase in the average absent days per student in the entire state.
“Our towns are in desperate need of more support from this government, who has time and time again failed to provide a situation for our regional communities to thrive.”
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood and Education, Jess Wilson, said more engagement was crucial to developing life skills of young Victorians.
“Less time in the classroom and at school will only reduce a student’s ability to learn the essential skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce and pursue future educational and career pathways,” Ms Wilson said.
“It’s clear that Victoria needs a new approach, and the Allan Labor Government must explain what it is doing to support regional students and their families to remain engaged with their education and school community.
“Labor cannot manage money, cannot manage our education system and Victorian students are paying the price.”
