King’s Speech Announces Creation of National Register for ‘Ghost Children’ in Education Crisis

King's Address: New National Database for 'Ghost Children' Not in School Announced

Advocates have long pushed for a comprehensive registry of children who are not accounted for in the educational system. During the King's Address, the establishment of such a register was officially declared.

Political and human interest reporter @NickMartinSKY

Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 1:

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George has been absent from school for the past two years.

He has autism, indicating that he needs additional assistance in his educational environment to facilitate his learning.

Despite possessing a legal document that specifies the support he is entitled to, his mother, Rachel Stead, has accumulated numerous rejection letters from local schools in Essex, each stating they are unable to assist him.

George, at the age of 11, is unable to read or write.

"Rachel, who until recently was compelled to homeschool George without any formal training in teaching, explains, 'We've tried applying to various schools, but the response has been uniform from each.'"

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Every school seems to find a unique excuse for turning him away. Some claim they are ill-equipped to handle his social requirements, while others assert they lack the resources to meet his linguistic needs.

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"However, everyone understands that the more time he spends away from school, the more critical his circumstances grow."

George is among the many children who are being deprived of their schooling opportunities.

According to official government statistics, the problem is extensive.

During the fall semester of the previous year, one-fifth of all students were considered to be persistently absent, as they were not present for approximately one school day every two weeks.

The number has surged 53% since the outbreak of the pandemic.

In the 2022-23 academic year, over 117,100 children were completely absent from the education system, marking an increase of almost 25% from the year before.

Activists have long advocated for a national database to track children who are not receiving an education, aiming to shed light on this hidden issue.

In today's Royal Address, the newly formed government declared the establishment of a new initiative.

Beth Prescott, the program director at the Centre for Social Justice, commented, "It's encouraging to observe that education is a priority for Labour and prominently placed on their agenda.

"It will require a thorough and consistent response that continuously supports children on a weekly basis."

Sky News initially covered George's difficult situation twelve months prior.

Discover more: Over 10,000 students exited the educational system in a single year, with student disappearances from schools increasing by nearly 25%.

Since that time, he has been presented with an alternative educational opportunity, assisting with the care of animals at a nearby community farm.

Rachel says that despite receiving about three hours of home tutoring each week funded by the local council, he is still falling behind.

He is supposed to be entering Year 7, yet his academic skills are more in line with those of a five or six-year-old.

"It's quite concerning, and I'm aware that others feel the same way."

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Rachel expressed her approval of the government's new initiative to create a database for missing children, considering it a beneficial action.

"This is a minor advancement. However, George isn't absent from the educational system. Everyone is aware of George's situation. The issue is that we are unable to provide him with educational opportunities, indicating that further efforts are necessary."

George is scheduled to begin attending a unique school in September, located in the adjacent county. This will require him to undertake a daily commute of four hours by himself.

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