Kimberley truancy highest in State

The Kimberley has the highest percentage of students at "severe educational risk" because of truancy, according to new figures released in State Parliament.

During Budget estimates last week, it was revealed 23 per cent of Kimberley public school students attended class less than 59 per cent of the time, the highest percentage in the State. It means 1216 of the Kimberley's 5270 public school students are deemed by the Education Department to be a "severe educational risk".

The figure was significantly higher than in the Pilbara region, where an average 9.7 students attend class less than 59 per cent of the time, and much higher than the State average of 3.6 per cent.

The Kimberley region lost 19.5 Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers after Budget cuts last year.

The officers play a key role in ensuring indigenous students attend school and participate in classroom activities.

Education Minister Peter Collier said students in the severe educational risk category usually experienced multiple, complex issues in their lives which affected on them going to school.

"We are talking about students who may be exposed to violence, alcohol and drug issues, and abuse in the home or other factors which impact on them," he said.

"Schools are part of the solution, but many agencies, families and communities are involved in this issue."

He said schools often picked up students with low attendance rates and took them to school, fed them at breakfast clubs and offered activities to interest children in their learning.

"Changing the poor school attendance of individual students is extremely difficult if their parents or caregivers are not on board," he said.

"We also encourage parents who have difficulty with a child who refuses to go to school to work with their school on the issue."

Kimberley MP Josie Farrer said the figures represented a huge number of Kimberley students being deprived of a decent chance at life.

"It's clear that a new, innovative approach is needed as there has so far been little desire to address problems with truancy in the Kimberley," she said.

"The problem is far worse in the Kimberley than any other part of the State, particularly the Perth metropolitan area.

"The unique educational needs of children in the region are being ignored and attendance will continue to decline following the massive cuts to AIEOs in the Kimberley."

Ms Farrer said there should be a review of the delivery of education programs in Kimberley schools specifically for at-risk students.

"For high school students this would offer an alternative to mainstream education that would prepare students for pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship entry in year 11," she said.

"This would incorporate a hands-on delivery model with involvement from indigenous training organisations and local businesses."