Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar has told the Senedd that Wales faces a substantial problem with school attendance, describing the latest figures as appalling.
As education minister Anna Brychan was questioned about measures to improve educational outcomes, Millar identified a direct relationship between attendance and achievement.
Provisional attendance data for the 2025-26 academic year indicate that average attendance has fallen to just below 91%.
He also questioned why the problem has remained persistent in Wales compared with other areas of the United Kingdom.
Brychan said the Welsh Government recognised that attendance had risen gradually since the COVID-19 pandemic but remained well below pre-pandemic levels.
The literacy and numeracy plan is expected to prioritise both attendance and persistent absence.
The minister also referred to the national framework covering behaviour, attendance and well-being, which states that persistent absence frequently requires tailored support rather than a single intervention.
Attendance is necessary for pupils to benefit from the education system and remains a central government focus, she said.
Reform’s Clwyd MS Tom Montgomery raised the case of a teacher in his and Millar’s constituency.
The teacher works at a school unable to afford pens or pencils, forcing staff to use their own money to purchase learning resources.
Montgomery cited warnings from Cardiff University researchers that significant investment in materials and learning resources is required to prevent educational outcome gaps widening between different parts of Wales.
He questioned how teachers in his constituency could deliver the strongest results for pupils when their schools could not even obtain basic writing equipment.
Brychan said education funding is a priority and that £60 million was allocated in the supplementary budget for school pressures associated with additional learning needs.
She said the literacy and numeracy plan would help the Government align support more effectively across Welsh regions and individual schools.
Plaid Cymru MS Sera Evans said supporting and valuing the education workforce was essential to raising standards and improving outcomes.
She welcomed the 3.5% teacher pay award in Wales, which brings remuneration into line with England, along with additional funding for additional learning needs pressures.
Evans noted that ASCL Cymru, the organisation representing school leaders, had accepted the award.
She asked whether the minister agreed that staff and pupils would benefit from remaining parties to disputes engaging constructively with the proposals and seeking a resolution without industrial action.
Brychan described ensuring that education workers were adequately paid and supported as a core priority.
She recognised the need for suitable assistance and said she was ready to discuss teacher workloads and explore measures to reduce the associated burden.
She also indicated that she was willing to hear constructive proposals for improving the situation.