Truancy is the deliberate and unauthorised absence from compulsory schooling. It is a term used to describe the act of a student being habitually absent from school without a valid reason or permission from school authorities. It can be a persistent problem that affects a student’s academic performance and overall well-being. In some cases, truancy can be an indication of underlying issues that a student may be facing, such as a lack of engagement or interest in school, family problems, or mental health issues. Schools and parents should work together to identify the reasons for truancy and take steps to address them. In advanced countries, truancy is often a violation of local, state, or national laws, and students and parents may face legal consequences for habitual truancy.
Some common causes of truancy include
- Family issues such as financial problems, illness, divorce, or parental laxity can impact a child’s attendance at school.
- Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can make it difficult for a child to attend school regularly.
- A child who experience bullying in school may be reluctant to attend school and may develop phobia when in the school environment.
- Students who are disengaged from school work and do not find their classes or activities interesting or challenging may be more likely to skip school or lose interest in going to school.
- Students who are exposed to substance abuse (use drugs or alcohol) often lose interest in school thereby struggling with attendance in school.
- Peer pressure especially from school mates who influence others to skip school or engage in other risky behaviors can also contribute to truancy.
- Transportation issues such as unreliable public transportation or lack of transportation options, can make it stressful for students to attend school regularly, thereby making them lazy and finding excuses to skip school.
- Students who struggle with academic challenges, such as difficulty with reading or dislike for a particular subject, may become discouraged and begin to skip school.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
By identifying the underlying causes of truancy, schools and parents have joint responsibility to address the causes and support students to overcome or avoid truancy.
The schools roles
- Schools should foster positive school culture and condusive environment. Schools that have a welcoming and safe atmosphere with positive relationships between students, teachers, and staff are more likely to have students attend school regularly.
- Schools should establish clear attendance policies and communicate same to parents and students, including the consequences of truancy and this should be strictly adhered to.
- Regular communication with parents about their child’s attendance, including phone calls and letters, can help to identify and address any attendance issues early. Absenteeism should be monitored and identified immediately and followed up with a call.
- Schools should provide support services such as counseling, mentoring, and tutoring to students who may be struggling with attendance.
- Rewarding mechanism should be used to encourage the faithful ones and deter defaulters. Recognizing and rewarding good attendance can encourage students to attend school regularly.
- Providing engaging, meaningful and interesting learning experiences should also be encouraged especially for dyslexic students who are more interested in creative work than academic work.
Parents Roles
1.Parents should understand the importance of attending school regularly and the negative consequences of truancy especially as its affects academic performance and a child’s future.
- Ideally, parents should contact the school to report absenteeism without waiting for the school to call. They should always notify the school of any issues that may impact their child’s attendance, such as family emergencies or health concerns.
- Parents should establish routines and expectations for their child’s attendance at school, including setting regular bedtimes, making sure their child is prepared for school, and monitoring their child’s attendance. 4.Parents should seek solution (medical or psychological) for any underlying issues that may be contributing to their child’s truancy, such as mental health issues, substance abuse, or family problems.
- Parents should collaborate with the school to identify interventions and support services that can help their child attend school regularly, such as counseling, tutoring, or mentoring programs.
It is pertinent to note that this study cuts across different classes in school, from pre school to high school. The causes and proffered solutions are also factored by different classes, the age and level of dependence of a child.
Amara Ann Unachukwu.
