Figures that we have requested show that around 2,800 pupils in the primary schools in Västernorrland have problematic school absenteeism.
In the fact box, you can see how your municipality responded.
Most students are at home in the largest municipality, Sundsvall.
Large increase in Sundsvall
During the spring of this year, 2,338 students in Sundsvall municipality have an absence from school of between 15 and 29 percent.
A sharp increase compared to the spring semester last year when the figure was 1602.
- It is a worrying development in both Sundsvall and the country and it is very serious, says Lisa Tynnemark (S) chairman of the children and education committee in Sundsvall.
No attendance team anymore
But the attendance team that worked with students with very high absenteeism was dropped last year.
The team, which cost 1.8 million in 2020, was a central resource and a support function for all schools in the municipality with the goal of getting students back to school.
- There were several reasons, she says about the decision to close down and develops her reasoning in the video.
"Square school system"
The municipality has not mapped out what the problems are due to.
One explanation given is the pandemic.
But just like other municipalities in the county that responded to our survey on absence, several reasons are raised.
Among other things, increased mental illness.
The pandemic is said to have exacerbated the absence problem, but the tendencies also existed before the pandemic.
And Lisa Tynnemark (S) criticizes today's school system and curriculum that she believes needs to be changed.
- It is a fairly square school system we have and it is difficult to be a student in the school.
I believe that at the national level one must review the grading system and how the curriculum is designed.
At the local level, it is about the school's ability to adapt teaching to students' needs.