AQW 43307/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 26/03/2026
Answered On Date: 17/04/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any action his Department is taking to improve school attendance among pupils entitled to free school meals prior to Key Stage 5.

Answer:

Regular pupil attendance at school is an ongoing challenge which has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and, more recently, by what is referred to as Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance. Subsequently, my Department is developing a new Pupil Attendance Strategy to support all children and young people to attend school every day. The public consultation on the draft strategy concluded on 6 March, and officials are currently considering all responses and preparing recommendations for my consideration. The final Attendance Matters strategy will be published as soon as possible thereafter.