EditorSwansea school attendance under scrutiny as Senedd member calls for urgent action
In a letter sent to Swansea Council, Tom Giffard MS, who represents South Wales West, described the current levels of school absenteeism as “deeply troubling” and called for “immediate and decisive action” to reverse the trend. He highlighted figures showing that unauthorised absences in Swansea’s secondary schools have more than doubled since the 2018/19 academic year.
“Despite repeated warnings, far too many pupils are losing vital classroom time, and alarmingly little has been done to stem the tide,” said Mr Giffard. “Swansea Council must take stronger and more proactive steps to support families and schools in ensuring children are in class.”
But in a detailed response seen by Swansea Bay News, Councillor Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, defended the authority’s approach and praised the efforts of teaching staff during and after the pandemic.
“The pandemic was a significantly disruptive event and I am very proud of the way our teaching staff responded to keep children learning during those challenging times,” said Cllr Stewart. “Their efforts are nothing short of heroic.”
He added that Swansea’s attendance strategy is part of a wider Inclusion Strategy, approved by Cabinet in May 2023, and that attendance rates have been rising steadily since the pandemic. According to StatsWales data, Swansea ranked 5th in Wales for total absence in 2022/23 — an improvement from 7th in 2018/19 — and currently sits just 0.5% below the best performing local authority.
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Cllr Stewart also pointed to national trends, noting that increased absence is a UK-wide issue and that Welsh Government Ministers have acknowledged it will take time to return to pre-Covid levels.
“We remain committed to increasing attendance in Swansea schools,” he said. “We have a dynamic and flexible strategy, and more importantly the momentum, to ensure continued growth in this area.”
The exchange highlights growing political tension over education outcomes in Wales, with absenteeism emerging as a key concern for both local and national policymakers. While Mr Giffard has called for tougher measures, the council insists its collaborative, multi-agency approach is already delivering results.
The debate comes as Swansea continues to invest in its education infrastructure and celebrate pupil achievements. Recent developments include council-backed plans for major upgrades at two secondary schools, and local pupils topping national leaderboards in active travel initiatives.
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