Buenos Aires has reduced the maximum number of school absences allowed from 25 to 20 in an effort to tackle high absenteeism rates among secondary students.
In a recent announcement, the City of Buenos Aires revealed a significant policy change aimed at combating high rates of absenteeism in secondary schools. The maximum number of absences permitted for secondary school students has been lowered from 25 to 20 per academic year. This decision applies to all secondary students in both public and private schools within the city, just ahead of the new school cycle set to commence on March 5. The new regulations stipulate that students can only have a maximum of five absences per bimester, without any exceptions being considered at the end of the year for additional absences.
The initiative comes in the context of rising concerns about student attendance, with reports indicating that nine out of ten student absences are unjustified. The secondary level in Buenos Aires currently experiences an absenteeism rate of 19.6%. By implementing these changes, the Buenos Aires Ministry of Education, under the framework of the "Buenos Aires Aprende" program, aims to improve student performance and engagement in education. This measure will directly impact approximately 200,000 secondary students in the city, signaling a firm stance against habitual absenteeism.
Education policymakers hope that by tightening the regulations regarding student absenteeism, they will encourage greater attendance and ultimately enhance educational outcomes for students. The reduced threshold for absences reflects a broader commitment to fostering a culture of accountability and commitment within the educational environment, especially as schools prepare to welcome students for the new academic year.
