Shock figures show Qld school attendance numbers sliding

Attendance rates in Queensland’s public schools are falling, with principals calling for major changes to the curriculum, as they reveal what they say are the three biggest issues needing to be addressed. HAVE YOUR SAY

Queensland Association of State School Principals President Pat Murphy says too many aspects of the curriculum are being assessed. Picture: istock

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Academic pressure, too many assessments and burnout are being blamed for more students skipping school, with experts calling for curriculum changes and better safety in classrooms.

The latest Department of Education report has revealed attendance rates at Queensland public schools dropped from 88.9 per cent in 2021 to 86.8 per cent in 2024.

Queensland Association of State School Principals President Pat Murphy said too many aspects of the curriculum were being assessed, including in subjects like the arts and health and physical education.

Mr Murphy said more integrated subjects could help boost classroom numbers and ease student anxiety.

“School leaders want our students to leave primary school with high levels of literacy and numeracy and still maintain a love of learning; this focus can sometimes be lost as there are eight subjects, many with a significant number of sub-disciplines,” he said.

“QASSP proposes a well-rounded, engaging curriculum where students want to come to school.

“When we access sub-disciplines of subjects, we must ask do parents really want the health mark separated from the PE mark?”

Queensland Association of State School Principals President Pat Murphy. Picture: David Clark

University of Southern Queensland Lecturer of Curriculum and Pedagogy Dr Rachel Leslie said there was also a lack of social and physical safety within school spaces, which was also affecting attendance.

She said there needed to be more mindfulness of the academic pressure students were under and awareness that all levels of capability are accepted and promoted.

“Teachers are doing the very best they can trying to manage everything but I think the curriculum needs a reconsider,” she said. “Kids and teachers are burnt out and we need to think what has changed and whether we’re asking too much of everyone.”

Dr Leslie said if parents noticed their child having significant school-related stress in conversations, not wanting to get out of bed, tears or anguish, they should have a conversation with the school.

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said under the former Labor government learning outcomes had declined and Queensland students fell short of basic literacy and numeracy targets.

He said schools were being given additional funding and a boost of 550 teacher aides and support teachers.

“The Crisafulli government is implementing a suite of fresh and targeted initiatives to improve student attendance numbers and give all children a world-class education,” he said.

“We are bringing a renewed focus on student wellbeing, including additional chaplains and allied health workers to provide extra support and further encourage students to attend school every day.”