Jordan faces 11,720 truancy cases in 2023/2024, mostly upper-grade boys

Data from the Department of Statistics in Jordan reveals that 11,720 cases of school truancy occurred during the 2023/2024 academic year, spanning grades one through ten.

The highest number of truancy cases occurred in grade nine, with 2,382 students, including 1,411 males and 971 females.

Of the total, 6,826 were male students, while 4,894 were female, showing a clear gender gap, with males being more likely to engage in truancy across all grades.

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Upper grades see the highest truancy rates

The upper grades recorded the highest rates of school truancy. In grade eight, 1,920 students were absent without permission (1,144 males and 766 females), and in grade ten, 2,192 students (1,288 males and 904 females) skipped school during the year.

Grade seven saw 1,376 cases of truancy, while grade six had 915.

In contrast, grade one recorded the fewest cases of truancy, with only 488 students (273 males and 215 females).

Middle, lower grades show rising trend in truancy

School truancy rates increased in grades four and five, with numbers ranging from 687 to 746 students, reflecting a rising trend as students progress in their education, with a growing gender gap.