Trevor Lunn MLA said: “I am very concerned that so many children are missing such a large number of school days. It is vital that pupils attend as many classes as possible to improve their education.
“The Education Minister must get to grips with this issue. We cannot have so many children absent for so many classes. However, I believe that parents have the primary responsibility for ensuring their children attend school.
“I would also hope that the Department of Education will look at absenteeism as a factor in the educational underachievement of Protestant boys.”
ENDS