But the statistics, which for the first time look at individual pupilsrather than merely the school as a whole, also show the overall truancyrate was 18 per cent higher than earlier figures had suggested,prompting criticism of the Government's truancy strategy.
Data from the Department for Education and Skills showed that absenceswere down by a fifth since last spring in the 436 schools targeted in2006/07. Schools minister Jim Knight said: "The figures show we aredealing with a small minority of persistent absentees who account formost absence."
But shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said Government initiatives weretackling symptoms, not causes. "A combination of better behaviour inschools and a reduction in mixed-ability teaching will do more to reducetruancy than expensive initiatives designed to deal with the symptoms ofthe problem," he said.
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