Tackling School Absenteeism: Why Stronger Collaboration Matters

Systems to monitor schools absenteeism

School absenteeism among children of seasonal agricultural workers remains a pressing challenge in Türkiye. Despite significant steps taken, such as the introduction of e-METİP and the Child Labour Monitoring System, too many children continue to experience disrupted schooling due to seasonal migration and labor demands. These initiatives reflect a genuine commitment to safeguarding children’s right to education. Yet, the persistence of absenteeism suggests that technological solutions alone are not enough.

One of the key issues highlighted by research is the fragmentation of policies and interventions. While ministries, local authorities, NGOs, and international organizations are all engaged in addressing absenteeism, their efforts often operate in parallel rather than in synergy. For example, while the Ministry of National Education tracks student records through e-Okul and in coordination with e-METİP, social services, labor authorities, and civil society groups each maintain their own programmes. Without strong coordination, valuable resources risk being spread thin, and children’s needs may fall through the gaps.

This is not to overlook the progress made. Systems like e-METİP represent important steps toward a more integrated approach to data and monitoring. Similarly, EU- and ILO-supported projects demonstrate the potential of international collaboration in strengthening local initiatives. However, for these efforts to achieve long-term impact, several areas deserve attention.

What is missing?

• Cross-sectoral coordination: Education, labor, health, and social services must work more closely to design interventions that address the multiple dimensions of absenteeism amongst children of seasonal agricultural workers.

• Sustainability of projects: Many initiatives show early promise but lose momentum once external funding or pilot phases end. Building sustainability into design from the outset would help ensure continuity.

• Community-level engagement: Families are at the heart of this issue. Stronger collaboration between schools and families, through flexible schedules, awareness programmes, and support mechanisms can bridge the gap between policy and everyday realities.

• Shared accountability: Absenteeism should not be seen as the responsibility of schools alone. Clearer frameworks for joint responsibility among ministries, local governments, and NGOs can foster more coherent action.

In short, the issue is less about the absence of policies and more about how these policies connect. Absenteeism is shaped by overlapping challenges, poverty, mobility, and labor demands, that no single actor can resolve in isolation. A more collaborative, integrated approach could transform existing initiatives into a cohesive system that ensures every child, regardless of their family’s circumstances, has uninterrupted access to education.

The challenge of absenteeism among seasonal worker families is complex, but it is not impossible to overcome. By strengthening collaboration across actors and ensuring sustainability in interventions, Türkiye can continue to safeguard children’s educational rights.