In the UK, a solution to the problem of school absenteeism has been found through the use of assistant robots, allowing students to attend lessons remotely from the comfort of their own location. A pilot project in Wirrol, located in the north of England, has shown impressive results with schoolchildren who previously missed classes regularly now attending lessons 21% more often. The success of the project is attributed to the use of AV1 robots from the Norwegian company No Isolation, which allow students to participate in classroom activities through a live broadcast on a tablet.
Following the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in absenteeism in British schools. Recent data from the Ministry of Education paints a concerning picture, revealing that approximately 158,000 students in England, accounting for about 2.1% of all schoolchildren, are absent for more than half of their classes. This figure marks a stark increase from the 2018-2019 academic year when the impact of a pandemic was not yet felt.
The AV1 robots have not only increased attendance at lessons but have also led to a 42% increase in study time and a 40% rise in social engagement within the classroom. While the robots are seen as a temporary solution to help students ease back into the traditional learning format, the positive impact on student participation is evident.
Ann Longfield, a prominent figure in youth welfare who previously served as the Commissioner for Children’s Rights in England, emphasizes that absenteeism is a multifaceted issue that requires innovative solutions. Longfield advocates moving away from punitive measures previously adopted by the government and exploring new avenues to address the root causes of absenteeism.
Currently, the fines imposed on parents for their children’s unexplained absences stand at 80 pounds (around $104). In cases of repeated violations within a three-year period, the fine doubles to 160 pounds, and offenders may face legal action where fines can escalate to 2500 pounds. Mark Mon Williams from the organization Child of the North highlights that school absenteeism not only hinders academic progress but also places children at risk and deprives them of key developmental opportunities.