The report follows on from statistics released earlier this year that show Gisborne's truancy rates were double that of the national average and second-worst in the country.
In term one of last year, around one in 10 Gisborne students were out of class for 30 percent or more of the time. By term four the number of absentees had risen to nearly one in five.
However, plans are under way to improve the situation.
“The Ministry of Education (Te Mahau) and regional directors of 10 local government agencies have agreed to work together, and with partners and key stakeholders, on improving attendance, participation and engagement in education,” MoE education director Daniel Murfitt said.
“This work is known as Tenei Tamaiti. Tenei Whānau (3TW). The name captures and reflects the need to respond to the circumstances of individual children, young people and their whānau.
“Reducing and removing barriers to attendance, participation and engagement in education is challenging but necessary and rewarding work.”
3TW is being led and managed by the office of the Regional Public Services Commissioner, who has formal responsibility for coordinating and strengthening agency collaboration in response to specific problems.
“It's important to note that 3TW does not replace any existing inter-agency groups, forum or committees; rather it will be complementary,” Mr Murfitt said.
“This a collective regional public service endeavour. There are other initiatives that are being led by the MoE with other partners, key stakeholders, boards of trustees, schools and kura.”
MoE, the Ministry of Social Development, Oranga Tamariki, Police, Te Whatu Ora, Kainga Ora, TPK, Corrections, DIA, and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment regional skills leadership groups are all involved.
“Regular attendance is the first step to engaging children and young people in learning,” Mr Murfitt said.
“It relies on school being a safe place characterised by powerful connections with ākonga and their whānau, and on the wider barriers to attendance being understood and resolved.
“It requires parents and caregivers, schools, communities, education agencies and other social sector agencies each playing their part.”
3TW was an all-of-government response intended to work alongside an all-of-society response.
“Education matters. Our life chances and livelihoods are determined by the quality of our education.
“Covid-19 did not create the problem of declining attendance but it has exacerbated it.
“The downward trajectory in school attendance was first identified in 2015.
“It is a national problem. All ages, ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic groups are affected.
“The contributing factors are complex and wide-ranging. Attendance and engagement in education is an all-of-society responsibility, therefore it made complete sense to prioritise this work across the public sector.”
Mr Murfitt said the reasons for absences were highly individualised. It was difficult to attribute trends across Gisborne to any one factor.
Success of the project would be measured by the improvement of attendance at school/kura in Tairāwhiti.
“We will also measure success by the reduction in barriers to attendance and the increased value our community and whānau place on the importance of education.
“The Attendance and Engagement Strategy, launched in June 2022, sets clear expectations for everyone — parents, whānau and communities, schools and kura, Te Mahau/Te Tāhuhu — to make sure tamariki and ākonga attend and engage in their learning.
“It provides a framework for the programmes under way, and for further collective actions to help tamariki and ākonga be present and participating in their learning.
“We are also working alongside schools and kura to support their work in addressing attendance issues their students are experiencing.
“We are also supporting the attendance service, and alternative education pathways for students.”
