§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the recorded rates of truancy in schools in England and Wales(a) at the latest available date and (b) in 1980. [30202]
§ Mr. Robin SquireRates of unauthorised absence for maintained primary and secondary schools in England for the 1994–95 school year were as follows
Primary Schools
- Percentage of half days missed: 0.5 per cent.
- Average number of half days missed per absent pupil: 10
Secondary Schools
- Percentage of half days missed: 1.0 per cent.
- Average number of half days missed per absent pupil: 22
- Equivalent information was not collected centrally in 1980.
Information on pupil absence rates in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.