NT public school attendance drops away amid pandemic

PUBLIC school attendance in the Territory has dropped by an average of 26 per cent amid the coronavirus crisis, preliminary data has revealed.

Public school attendance in the Territory has dropped by an average of 26 per cent amid the coronavirus crisis, preliminary data has revealed.

PUBLIC school attendance in the Territory has dropped by an average of 26 per cent, preliminary data has revealed.

Education Minister Selena Uibo said early data for the week ending March 27 showed attendance rates began dropping about three weeks ago.

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“Preliminary data shows that in that time, attendance rates in NT government schools has dropped to an average of 54 per cent,” she said.

“Following the National Cabinet’s decision on Sunday, 22 March that school would be optional for the remainder of the term, as expected, many Territory families kept their children home.

“The advice of Australia’s top health experts is that schools continue to be safe, but we believe parents and families can make the best choice for their children. For many, that choice has been to not send their children to school.”

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Ms Uibo said outer regional attendance was 59 per cent, about 30 per cent lower than the same time last year.

Remote attendance was 52 per cent compared to 77 per cent last year, and very remote attendance was down to 41 per cent.