There were 34 Forms 3, 4 and 5 students, out of a total of 9,055, who were absent for more than 160 out of 170 school days during scholastic year 2010/2011.

Education Minister Dolores Cristina told Anthony Agius Decelis (PL) that there were three out of 2,932 Form 3 students; 10 out of 2,938 Form 4 students and 21 out of 3,183 students.

Mrs Cristina also said that there were 98 Form 4 and 124 Form 5 students who were absent between 41 and 170 days because of sickness; 23 Form 4 and 800 Form 5 students whose absence was excused and 204 Form Four and 482 Form 5 students who were absent without authorisation.