MORE than 70 schools in Limerick are getting involved in the new Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) which is launching its first national School Attendance Drive ‘Every School Day Counts’ to promote regular school attendance.
Each school day approximately 60,000 students miss school in Ireland. TESS is running an attendance drive throughout the month of November, when attendance traditionally dips, to encourage and promote the importance of regular school attendance with children, young people, parents and schools.
In addition, TESS promotes the message that school attendance is everyone’s business and encourages the wider community to come on board and endeavour to make ‘Every School Day Count’ this November and throughout the school year.
70 schools in Limerick have joined more than 1,700 schools across the country in signing up to the drive and will be running attendance initiatives in their schools throughout the month.
During the launch, the service also unveiled its new name and logo as part of its brand refresh project, to highlight the integrated supports available through its three service strands – Educational Welfare Service; Home School Community Liaison Scheme; and School Completion Programme.
The three services work with children, young people, parents, schools and community family support services to improve attendance, participation and retention.
Addressing over 350 attendees, including government representatives, education professionals, children and young people, Bernard Gloster, Chief Executive of Tusla said, “Research has shown again and again that regular school attendance is vital in helping children get the best possible start in life. It lays the foundation for developing good social skills, building relationships and achieving success later in life.
“Children who attend school regularly are more likely to stay in school and achieve better educational outcomes,” Mr Gloster declared.
