Research Into School Absenteeism and School Behaviours: A Policy Comparison Between Saudi Arabia and The United Kingdom

Abstract

By examining and contrasting the tactics used by the United Kingdom (UK) and Saudi Arabia (KSA) to address the issue, this study examines and compares those countries’ policies pertaining to school refusal behaviour (SRB) and absenteeism in schools. The study uses a qualitative approach informed by the social constructivist paradigm to systematically assess the literature and provide reasoned conclusions. Thematic analysis was used in this way to identify both commonalities between the countries and new insights in the data. The results thus provide new insight into the complexities of addressing these problems across a range of pedagogical and cultural settings, stressing the role for international comparisons in the work of improving policy. Nevertheless, the study recognises several limitations, such as its use of secondary data and its narrow focus on these two countries.