Severe School Absences Double in Five Years in Scotland

London, United Kingdom Jul 12, 2026 ALN: The number of Scottish pupils missing more than half of the school year has almost doubled in just five years, raising significant concerns about the state of education in Scotland. This alarming trend is reflected in the statistics which indicate that 12,402 pupils were absent for at least 50% of the 2025-26 school year. This figure translates to enough students to fill approximately 400 classrooms, highlighting the scale of the issue.

When compared to the 2020-21 school year, the increase in severe absences is staggering, showing a 93.4% rise from the 6,414 pupils who missed half the year during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is important to note that the current figures could be even higher, as several local authorities, including Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Clackmannanshire, Edinburgh, and Fife, did not provide their data for analysis.

This surge in absenteeism comes on the heels of a UK Government report led by former minister Alan Milburn, which warned that one in six young people could find themselves out of work within five years unless decisive action is taken to address the growing problem of school absenteeism. The implications of this trend are profound, as missed educational opportunities can lead to long-lasting effects on a child's future prospects, including their employability and overall well-being.

Scottish ministers have been cautioned that the figures, which were obtained through freedom of information requests by The Herald, indicate that children are being "let down" by the current education system. In Glasgow, for instance, a total of 2,318 pupils were reported to have missed at least half of the school year, which includes over 700 primary school pupils and approximately 1,500 secondary school students. This marks an increase of 126.4% from the previous school year, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.

Despite Glasgow's significant number of severe absences, the city does not hold the highest rate across Scotland, with a reported rate of 3.2% per 100 pupils. Highland Council has surpassed this figure, reporting that 1,099 pupils were absent for half of the school year, resulting in a rate of 3.4%, the highest in Scotland. The number of children severely absent in the Highlands has also increased by 72% since the 2020-21 school year, when 639 pupils were absent.

Other regions, including Midlothian and West Lothian, also reported a rate of 3.2% of pupils missing half of the school year in 2025-26, while East Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross, and Dumfries and Galloway reported rates of 3%. In contrast, East Renfrewshire had the lowest number of severe absences, with only 122 pupils absent for half of the school year, translating to a rate of 0.7%. However, this figure had more than doubled from the previous year, indicating a worrying trend even in areas previously considered to have better attendance rates.

The persistence of severe absences is not merely a statistical anomaly; it reflects deeper societal issues that may be affecting families and communities across Scotland. Duncan Dunlop, the education spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, emphasized that children who are absent from school are often the most vulnerable in society. He highlighted that school non-attendance can be a key indicator of a child's risk, urging for more proactive support systems to be put in place to assist families and ensure that children remain engaged in their education. Dunlop proposed the establishment of early family support hubs that would provide community-based assistance to families, thereby facilitating better attendance and educational outcomes.

Katherine Sangster, the education spokeswoman for Scottish Labour, echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the current state of Scotland's education system under the Scottish National Party (SNP). She asserted that Scotland's education system, once admired globally, has been allowed to deteriorate, resulting in too many children and families being let down. Sangster called for a national attendance register that would help gather data on absences and enable targeted interventions to support young people in re-engaging with their education. She also advocated for the creation of family networks coordinators who would connect with families directly to encourage school attendance.

In response to the growing concern over school attendance, Glasgow City Council acknowledged that there is a "national challenge" regarding school attendance, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. A spokeswoman for the council noted that targeted interventions are being implemented to encourage children to attend school regularly.

On a broader scale, a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government reiterated the importance of school attendance, emphasizing that term-time absences disrupt children's learning and can adversely affect their academic attainment. According to the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, parents and carers hold the primary responsibility for ensuring their children receive an efficient education. The Scottish Government has mandated that schools maintain attendance registers, which are tracked via the Scottish Education Establishment Management Information System.

Recognizing that the factors contributing to poor attendance can be complex, the Scottish Government has initiated a national attendance campaign aimed at supporting parents and carers. This initiative encourages open dialogues with schools and provides access to resources that address the underlying reasons for absences. The government has committed to working closely with local authorities to ensure that schools and families receive the necessary support to minimize unnecessary absences from education.

The significant rise in severe school absences in Scotland raises pressing questions about the effectiveness of current educational policies and the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of absenteeism. As the education system continues to grapple with the challenges posed by the pandemic and beyond, it is imperative that stakeholders across the board—educators, policymakers, and community organizations—come together to devise solutions that not only improve attendance rates but also enhance the overall quality of education for all children in Scotland.