Country kids forced to feed starving livestock missing school in droves

Exclusive: Kids from drought-ravaged farms are missing school to help hand feed starving livestock. SEE OUR INTERACTIVE: NSW’s worst attended schools.

• Rivers run through NSW country towns after downpour

EXCLUSIVE: Children from drought-ravaged farms are missing school to help hand-feed starving livestock.

The state’s 10 worst attended schools are all in regions classed as in “drought” or “intense drought” and all schools have registered fewer ­students attending class, according to the latest schools data.

Sheep on Walgett farmer Sam Evans’ property in the far north western NSW town of Walgett. Picture: Nathan Edwards

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At Walgett, where the rivers have dried up and the paddocks have turned to dust, 43 out of 107 students enrolled at Walgett Community ­College High School won’t turn up on a typical school day.

“Without a doubt plenty of kids are helping their family keep animals alive and they aren’t getting to school or they’re getting to school late,” ­Secondary Principals’ Council president Chris Presland said.

Mr Presland has spoken to high school principals from Cowra, Forbes, Uralla, Tamworth and Armidale within the past fortnight, who have all reported their students from farms have stayed home to help hand-feed livestock.

Sam Evans on his property Netherby near Walgett. Pic Nathan Edwards

“Principals are telling me stories of kids getting up at dawn to hand-feed and by the time they get in and get breakfast they’re too tired for school or they’re late,” Mr Presland said.

“A lot of the time the kids are ­reliant on buses and if they miss the bus they can’t get to school.”

The state’s 15 worst attended schools are all in rural areas, mainly in the state’s west and northwest, and all 15 have registered declines in attendance.

The state’s worst school for attendance is Wilcannia Central School, where 26 out of 66 student won’t ­attend school on a typical day.

Worsening attendance can be ­partially explained by the inclusion of unexplained lateness in absentee ­figures for the first time this year, in line with the national standard.

However, at schools such as Wilcannia Central School, Bourke High School, Moree East Public School, Cessnock High School and Brewar­rina Central School, attendance rates have been sliding since 2014.

Many regional children are either missing school or late for school after helping feed animals. Picture: Nathan Edwards

“While these schools have had ­ongoing challenges in addressing ­student attendance, they have all ­implemented student attendance plans and continue to closely monitor their progress,” an Education Department spokesman said.

“Education for all children is ­important and regular attendance at school is essential for a child to achieve their educational best and ­increase their career and life options.”

Boys’ selective school James Ruse has the best attendance of any public school in the state. On any given day only 20 kids don’t show up in a school of 835 students. North Sydney Boys High School and North Sydney Girls High School have rates in the 97 per cent range.