A recent analysis by CBC News reveals a significant increase in student absences in major school districts across British Columbia. The data indicates a notable rise in excused absences, particularly in the Vancouver School Board, where the number of excused absences doubled in elementary school and more than tripled in secondary school between October 2018 and October 2025.
Experts emphasize the importance of regular attendance for student success, as higher rates of absenteeism are associated with lower graduation rates. The data, obtained through a Freedom of Information request as part of a national investigation on school absences, also shows a decrease in unexcused absences in elementary school but an 86% increase in secondary schools.
Maureen McRae-Stanger, an associate superintendent at the Vancouver School Board, highlights that while the data reflects attendance challenges for some students, the vast majority attend school regularly. Factors contributing to the rise in absences include financial struggles faced by families, the need for older students to work, and inadequate support for students with learning differences.
Silvana Guglielmetti, a manager at the Pathways to Education Program in B.C., points out that issues like food and housing insecurity, along with online learning challenges, can create barriers to attendance. Additionally, undiagnosed learning differences can lead students to feel disconnected from school.
For parents like Dayna Brassard in Burnaby, whose children have autism, navigating the education system during the pandemic has been challenging. Brassard’s youngest child faced difficulties processing information, leading to increased absences due to frustration and inadequate support.
The Burnaby and Central Okanagan districts also observed a surge in chronic absences, with rates more than tripling in elementary schools and quadrupling in secondary schools in recent years. Schools in Vancouver and Surrey are implementing proactive measures to support students facing attendance issues, emphasizing the importance of addressing individual needs promptly to ensure student success.