School Absenteeism Amongst Pupils of Bangladeshi Origin in London

This study, qualitative in nature, set out to identify the most common factors contributing to absenteeism amongst Bangladeshi pupils in Westminster, London. Cross-sectional examination of the perceptually developed hypotheses was mainly carried out in five primary schools and one secondary school, located in different geographical areas of the Westminster Local Education Authority. The sample included 140 pupils (100 primary and 40 secondary), most of their parents guardians, head teachers, teachers, home-school liaison workers, community leaders/workers, Westminster Education Welfare Officers, LEA Officers and Attendance Advisor at DfES. Semi-structured interview and questionnaire schedules were used as the main tools for data generation. The findings of the study suggested that poor health was the most prevalent reason for low attendance among the focus group, followed by extended holidays which resulted in considerable numbers of absences – both authorised and unauthorised. Family poverty did not evidently appear to be a causal explanatory issue for poor health and low attendance of the pupils.