In New Zealand, a government drive to lift school attendance has collided with the older wisdom that a sick child belongs at home. Principals across Wellington are watching classrooms become reservoirs of winter illness as families, fearing the stigma of absence, send unwell children back too soon — and as cost-of-living pressures leave both parents and teachers unable to choose rest over obligation. The policy is not wrong in its intent, but intent alone cannot substitute for the economic and public health conditions that make good attendance genuinely possible.
School attendance push backfires as sick children spread illness across classrooms
Widespread illness affecting up to 50 children and multiple staff per school, with teachers unable to access healthcare due to cost and availability constraints.