Lack of food, inadequate clothing and lack of transport are just some of the socio-economic barriers contributing to Northland's low school attendance rate, says the president of Northland's principals' association.
A new report released by the Ministry of Education on student attendance showed Te Tai Tokerau had the lowest percentage of students attending school regularly in Term 2 last year with only 60.6 per cent of students attending more than 90 per cent of half days. The statistics include justifiable absences such as illness.
Pat Newman, Te Tai Tokerau Principals' Association president and principal of Hora Hora Primary School in Whangarei, said the statistics did not surprise him.
"I'm very pleased that politicians have finally found out what we have known for years. In Northland, we know we have a high number of transient student and students who are truant," he said.
Mr Newman said ultimately the responsibility of ensuring children were at school fell on the parents or caregivers, but many in Northland faced socio-economic barriers.