With government committed to monitoring and promoting the holistic development of the nation’s students, ensuring they are prepared for the workforce and their civic duties – the implementation of Attendance Officers will significantly enhance academic growth.Â
Authorities recognize the critical issue of absenteeism in schools. Attendance Officers are employed to monitor students’ welfare and assess conditions to improve school attendance.
Education Minister Shawn Edward emphasized that for too long, the education system depended on a single officer for this crucial role. The addition of four new officers will elevate the standard of service provided to students across the country.
He stated that this initiative is not just timely but necessary. These officers will play a vital role in fostering better communication with families in communities affected by absenteeism.
“The Attendance Officers will actively engage families, particularly parents, and students who are regularly absent from school,” Edward asserted during a recent media briefing.
He also stated that these officers would be supported by eight psycho-social workers to complement the counseling team.
Simultaneously, the Ministry continues to ensure students’ nutritional needs are met through the School Feeding Program.
Minister Edward insists that the Ministry of Education is dedicated to providing a conducive environment for students to thrive with their teachers and prioritizes their psychological well-being. He highlighted the need to address issues faced by children coming from dysfunctional families and broken homes, stressing that students must be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to absorb academic knowledge.
Crusita Descartes-Polius, a former police commissioner and advocate for youth intervention, is among the new officers appointed to monitor Districts Five and Six, covering Micoud, Dennery, and Vieux Fort.
Edward stated that her law enforcement background equips her to tackle the challenges of school absenteeism effectively.
The Minister reiterated that attendance officers will not only monitor but also investigate and intervene as needed. They will undertake multiple tasks as outlined in their reference guide.
“The role of the Attendance Officer is vital. We must understand what is happening to every student beyond the school compound,” Edward asserted.
He noted that boys show higher rates of absenteeism and that education officials must take extra steps to make necessary home interventions.
“We’ve seen education officials going into homes and taking actions beyond their job descriptions to support boys who may fall victim to societal issues,” he said.
Edward emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader governmental effort in psychosocial development, ensuring that children are not only present in class but also emotionally and socially equipped to learn.
“We will focus on academics, but we also acknowledge our duty to provide psychosocial support. We must engage with the community to understand and address the challenges affecting our students and parents’ goodwill,” he explained.
Describing the expansion as a significant improvement, Edward confirmed that these new appointments reflect the government’s commitment to a balanced and supportive education system.[R.A].
“We must understand what is happening to every student beyond the school compound,” Edward asserted.