Senate to investigate growing trend of ‘school refusal’ after Covid pandemic classroom disruptions

Education committee inquiry into increasing numbers of students unable to attend school follows Guardian Australia reporting on trend

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The Senate will investigate the emerging trend of school refusal" - a phenomenon experts say is linked to distress or separation anxiety and is on the rise since the lockdowns and classroom closures of the Covid pandemic.

The announcement follows recent reporting by the Guardian on the trend, which has been identified by mental health organisations and education advocates as a deep reluctance to attend class.

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