The average secondary school student in Kerry missed almost 19 (18.89) days per school year.
That’s according to new research from the Economic and Social Research Institute, which shows that high levels of school absence remain a national concern, with little improvement since the pandemic.
The ESRI study, covering the 2022–23 and 2023–24 school years, found that around one in five students nationally miss 20 days or more of school each year.
While there has been a slight overall improvement, absenteeism remains well above pre-pandemic levels.
The ESRI study finds that the average primary school pupil in Kerry missed almost 14-and-a-half (14.49) days per school year.
It also finds that over 20 per cent (20.56%) of primary pupils were chronically absent, meaning they missed 20 or more days in an academic year - marginally better than the national figure.
At the post-primary level, the average Kerry student missed almost 19 (18.89) days per school year; while almost 23 per cent (22.82%) missed 20 or more days.
It shows that Kerry sits close to the national average, with mixed results across primary and post-primary schools.
The research suggests socio-economic disadvantage is the strongest driver of absence.
Schools serving more disadvantaged communities, including DEIS schools, consistently record higher levels of non-attendance, while schools in more affluent areas have lower rates.
The ESRI analysis finds that most counties, including Kerry, do not differ significantly from the national pattern once school and socio-economic factors are taken into account.
