Research from the Education Policy Institute indicates that children from low-income families are disproportionately affected by school absenteeism in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. By the age of 16, these children are now up to 19 months behind their peers. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson noted the drastic changes in attendance attitudes due to lockdowns, which have had long-lasting effects on young children's opportunities. Persistent absence rates have risen significantly since before the pandemic, implying that urgent attention is required to understand and address the underlying factors affecting these students' attendance and performance.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated that lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a 'serious and profound shift' in school attendance and life chances for children.
The Education Policy Institute's latest analysis reveals that children from low-income families are falling further behind their peers, now up to 19 months behind by age 16.
Natalie Perera from the EPI emphasized the urgent need for further research to understand the factors impacting school attendance among low-income children, such as mental health and housing.
The gap that had diminished before the pandemic between poorer students and others is now worsening, with persistent absence in primary schools increasing from 8% to 15%.
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