School absenteeism rises across Canada and surges in some Quebec districts

Public school data show absenteeism has increased nationwide, with particularly large rises reported in Montreal and Quebec City school districts between the 2018–19 and 2024–25 school years.

Public school attendance has declined in recent years in parts of Canada, and data obtained by CBC News show larger increases in absences in several Quebec districts. Community groups and school staff report some students have missed months or years of school for reasons that include anxiety, bullying and family pressures. The reporting draws on board-level figures covering the 2018–19 to 2024–25 academic years and interviews with students, counsellors and support organizations. The focus is on patterns in Montreal and Quebec City where recorded absences rose markedly. Key data points: - In the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM), unexcused absences at the elementary level rose 85% and unexcused high school absences rose 108% between 2018–19 and 2024–25; excused absences rose 40% in primary and 64% in secondary schools. - More than 30% of CSSDM high school students and over 10% of elementary students were recorded as chronically absent (missing more than 10% of the school year) in the last school year. - At the Centre de Services Scolaire de la Capitale (Quebec City), total absences grew 446% in elementary schools and 107% in high schools over the same period. - The Lester B. Pearson School Board reported a 26% rise in overall absences while its student population fell slightly; the English Montreal School Board said it does not centralize absence totals at the board level. - School staff and community organizations cited anxiety, bullying, learning difficulties, family strains and work pressures for older students as common reasons for prolonged absences. Summary: The reported data indicate growing absenteeism in several Quebec districts, accompanied by accounts from school staff and community programs that many students miss extended periods for a mix of personal and social reasons. Undetermined at this time.