Belief limited education pathways are contributing to a rise in unenrolled students

Education Ministry data shows three and a half thousand kids have been missing from the education system, for more than a year since 2022.

Almost two thirds of these are students aged between 12 and 14.

Lead Principal of the Manurewa Attendance Service, Cathy Chalmers says pathways like online learning need to be more available for disengaged kids.

She says alternative education only starts at Year 9, and these students need a different approach - rather than learning in a classroom of 30 kids.