Photograph: Getty ImagesEven short spells of school absence of one to two days at age 13 are linked to lower Leaving Certificate grades, a report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found. The report also found young people who attend a school with a higher prevalence of chronic absence achieve lower Leaving Certificate points. Life satisfaction at ages 20 and 25 is much lower among those who were persistently absent from school at age 13. Children in high-absence primary schools also tend to have lower levels of trust in others. “The findings highlight the urgency of addressing school absence, especially given the higher levels apparent since the pandemic.

Source: The Irish Times February 26, 2026 11:35 UTC