Leader's blog - 25 October 2024
It's Time to Get Our Kids Back in School and Give Them a Future
Two secondary schools in our area have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons: they've been named as the worst and fourth worst in the country for truancy. This is not just a number or statistic - it's about our kids and their future. Truancy isn't just students skipping a day here and there. We're talking about chronic absenteeism, which has huge consequences for our young people, our community, and our economy.
Let's be clear: this is a crisis, and it affects us all. It goes beyond education but frankly I'm utterly at a loss to explain why county education bosses aren't gripping this issue beyond issuing a vague statement in response to the news. It's about the future of our young people, the health of our community, and the strength of our local economy. Truancy rates in these schools are simply unacceptable and educational attainment in the borough is flatlining
When kids aren't in school, they miss out on more than just lessons. They miss out on opportunities. When truancy becomes a pattern, it sets them on a path to nowhere - and we know where that leads. Studies show that students who are regularly absent from school are more likely to end up unemployed, involved in crime, or stuck in a cycle of poverty. That doesn't just hurt them - it hurts their families, their communities, and all of us.
Here's the brutal truth: if we don't act now, we're risking the futures of an entire generation.
But this isn't just an "education problem" - it's a community problem. And it's not just a problem about truancy, it's about educational attainment, aspiration and the ability of our young people to achieve their career dreams.
We know where this goes. Fewer kids in school means more pressure on social services, more strain on the police, and more young people who struggle to find jobs or stay on the right track. And if we want our local economy to thrive, we need educated, skilled young people entering the workforce - not dropping out before they've even had a chance.
Now, before anyone starts pointing fingers, let me say this: our teachers are doing an incredible job under tough circumstances. They're not just teaching; they're juggling a whole range of challenges. Many of our kids are facing serious issues outside the classroom - whether it's poverty, family breakdowns, or mental health struggles - and teachers are often the ones left to pick up the pieces. We should be thanking them for everything they do, not blaming them for a problem that goes far beyond the school gates.
But that doesn't mean we can sit back and do nothing. We can't ignore the fact that something in our system isn't working. The truancy rates in these schools are a clear cry for help. And if we don't listen, we're failing not just our kids, but our entire community.
The question is: what are we going to do about it? I'll tell you what I'm going to do - and what we all need to do. This isn't just the responsibility of the schools. It's going to take all of us to fix this, from local businesses to families, the council, and the entire community. That's why I'm calling for a task force - a real team effort - to tackle truancy, educational attainment and skills in Basildon head-on. We need to get to the root of the problem and come up with a plan that works.
Imagine a future where every young person in our area is in school, learning, growing, and preparing for a bright future. A future where businesses have the skilled workers they need, where crime rates drop, and where our local economy is booming because we've invested in the next generation. That's the future we should all be working towards. If we believe in Basildon this is something we should all invest in.
I know together we've got the power to turn this around, but we need to act now. The time for talking is over - it's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Let's get our kids back in school. Let's give them the future they deserve.
Published 25 October 2024