Cathy Chalmers: Lead Principal of the Manurewa Attendance Service says more focus is needed on absent children

Education Ministry data shows three and a half thousand kids have been missing from the education system for more than a year since 2022. 

Lead Principal of the Manurewa Attendance Service Cathy Chalmers told Heather du Plessis-Allan having to find these kids is part of the problem. 

She says a multi-agency approach is needed, as there are normally other issues that contribute to disenrollment or low attendance. 

The Government says it's putting information-sharing agreements in place, between agencies like Kainga Ora and the Health Ministry 

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