Schools Struggle with Low Attendance Rates Post-COVID

Attendance rates in schools across Prince Albert, Canada, have not fully recovered since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some divisions reporting figures as low as 65 percent in recent years. Research indicates that attending school at least 80 to 90 percent of the time is crucial for academic success, yet local school divisions continue to grapple with lower attendance.

Lorel Trumier, the Director of Education for the Prince Albert Catholic School Division (PACSD), noted a significant decline in attendance following the pandemic. “Our overall attendance of students with at least 80 percent attendance pre-COVID was 80 percent. The drop was most notable in the 2021-2022 school year, with only 68 percent of students meeting that threshold,” she explained. Though attendance improved to 72 percent last year, it remains below pre-pandemic levels.

The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) is facing similar challenges. Garette Tebay, Superintendent of Schools, indicated that prior to the pandemic in 2019, 82 percent of students attended class at least 80 percent of the time. That number fell to 65 percent in 2021. Although the SRPSD has also seen some recovery, with current attendance rates around 72 percent, they still lag behind pre-COVID figures.

In response to chronic absenteeism, the SRPSD assembled a team of administrators, teachers, and social workers in 2023 to explore research-based best practices. Their efforts have focused on enhancing student engagement and implementing targeted interventions to boost attendance rates.

Meanwhile, PACSD is developing a comprehensive action plan aimed at improving attendance rates. This plan will involve collaboration with parents, who can contribute valuable insights and strategies. The division is also piloting a curriculum outcomes process to clarify expectations for students, thereby enhancing their accountability.

The issue of absenteeism is not confined to Prince Albert. The North East School Division (NESD), which includes Melfort, has reported a decline in attendance from over 90 percent prior to COVID to below 80 percent in recent years. According to the NESD’s school board meeting agenda, the percentage of students attending school 90 percent of the time has dropped dramatically from an average of 78 percent to just 53.3 percent between 2021 and 2025.

This decline in attendance is raising concerns about widening learning gaps and diminishing student achievement across the NESD. Trumier acknowledged the correlation between attendance and academic performance, stating, “Historically, we know when children are not attending, they are not successful.” Despite these challenges, PACSD’s graduation rates continue to surpass provincial averages in most categories.

While the reasons for the sluggish recovery in attendance rates remain unclear, both PACSD and SRPSD are actively investigating the underlying factors. As these divisions work to address absenteeism and foster student engagement, the long-term impacts on educational outcomes will be closely monitored.