Principal of Mt Cook School tells how attendance push is driving cycle of illness
School principals in New Zealand report that government pressure to increase attendance is causing sick children to return to school prematurely, leading to a cycle of illness. Educators are calling for a better balance between attendance goals and community health protection.
Why it matters
The tension between educational policy and public health highlights the challenges schools face during periods of high illness, exacerbated by economic pressures on families.
News from NZEI The government’s overzealous focus on school attendance is backfiring, with sick children returning to school too early and spreading viruses to classmates and teachers.
Educators say the heavy focus on attendance has driven up rates of flu and other winter illnesses across schools.
drianne McAllister, Principal of Mt Cook School and NZEI Te Riu Roa member, said: “Our strong focus on attendance has, at times, created unnecessary fear around tamariki being away from school when they are genuinely unwell. This can mean children return to school too early, before they have fully recovered.
“When an unwell child returns too soon, they can spread the flu, tummy bugs, and other illnesses to other tamariki and staff. This creates more sickness and more absences, starting the cycle again.
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