Student Truancy (August 2004)
Group or Institution
University of Waikato
Author(s)
Anni Schwanen
Abstract
Truancy is an issue of concern in New Zealand. The purpose of this study was to identify some of the reasons behind student truancy in a sample of teenagers attending the City West Activity Centre, an alternative education provider in Hamilton. This study hypothesised that students may truant in an attempt to avoid mainstream education which they perceive as aversive, in order to maintain their wellbeing. This study further sought to investigate whether the City West Activity Centre was effective in reducing truancy. Twenty-seven in-depth interviews were held with past and present students, staff and key stakeholders of the alternative education centre to explore their views on these issues. Findings from these interviews support the hypothesis that some students choose to truant when faced with having to learn in an unsupportive environment. Further, the City West Activity Centre was found to be effective in substantially reducing student absenteeism.