The Government has released new guidelines it says will help parents and schools decide whether a child is too sick to attend or not.
Associate Education Minister David Seymour said the refreshed guidelines are important because short-term illnesses or medical reasons have consistently been the largest contributors to justified absences in recent years.
"School attendance is a shared responsibility, and for too long attendance has not been good enough," Seymour said.
"COVID-19 had a big impact on attendance rates, attendance culture, and what is being considered acceptable. It's time to take a more rational approach and get kids back to school.
"Of course, health's important, of course you've got to be responsible - but you don't keep people home under all circumstances. Sometimes you've got to make a call between health and education, and we're bringing back some balance in that regard."
Seymour added parents "know their children best" and should be supported to make good decisions.
"For example, a child with mild hay fever might display some symptoms, but that doesn't mean it's unsafe for them to attend school," he said.
The Minister said the refreshed health guidance is an important step in lifting attendance and providing information about when it is and isn't okay for students to attend school.
The guidance also includes links and information to help students cope with and overcome mild anxiety which may be affecting their school attendance.
"An education crisis today will turn into a crime crisis, a vulnerable children crisis, an economic crisis and an inequality crisis tomorrow. We're addressing this by creating a culture where children know if they want to get anywhere in life, they need to get to school first," Seymour said.
The guidance, which is available on the Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand website suggests children who are testing negative for COVID but have mild respiratory systems, hay fever and allergy symptoms or non-infectious skin problems are generally okay to go to school.
However, children with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, school sores, severe sore throats, new potentially infectious rash or wheezing and difficulty breathing should stay home. Students with nits should also stay home.
The full guidance can be found at the following links:
- Knowing if a child is well enough to be at school — guidance for schools
- Knowing if your child is well enough to go to school — guidance for parents and caregivers – Ministry of Health
- Student attendance: Guide for schools and kura – Ministry of Education
- Student attendance: A guide for parents and caregivers – Ministry of Education
