Northern Territory Government schools continue to focus on improving student attendance rates. In Term 2, 2026, overall attendance across NT Government schools reached 73.8%, an increase of 1.2 percentage points compared with Term 2, 2025.
This improvement reflects strong collaboration and a shared commitment to attendance, with parents, families, students, schools and regional teams all contributing. When students attend school every day, they are more likely to achieve positive educational outcomes, stay connected to their communities, and transition successfully into further education, training and employment.
Mulga Bore School recorded the largest attendance increase, rising more than 20 percentage points from Term 1. The Top End School of Flexible Learning recorded an increase of nearly 19 percentage points.
Department of Education and Training Acting Chief Executive Aderyn Chatterton said the encouraging improvement demonstrates the value of collective action.
"Through strong partnerships between students, families, schools, communities and government agencies, more young Territorians are attending school and building the foundations for safer communities, greater economic participation and brighter futures," Ms Chatterton said.
The commitment and efforts of all involved should be celebrated. Every student, every day is the key to raising attendance.
Mulga Bore School Principal Pesala Brown said community engagement has been central to driving increased attendance.
"Our school has a strong and productive relationship with the community, where we actively promote the possibilities education can provide for students at all stages, including Year 12 and beyond," she said.
"We promote a culture of striving for excellence and focus on building secondary‑level skills, such as computer and IT capabilities, which excite students to attend and build their confidence if they choose to progress to higher education.
"We are also building a pathway program with RMIT Melbourne, where one former student is currently enrolled, inspiring other students to complete Year 12. Finally, our culturally relevant programming with an arts and music focus brings students of all grades to school, as it is a safe and happy place to be."
At the Top End School of Flexible Learning Centre, Principal Jane Arnott explained how the school works with some of the most complex students in the education system, including young people in youth detention.
The school develops individual learning plans to support each student's educational, pathway and wellbeing goals, ensuring young people receive personalised support to remain engaged in learning and achieve success. The key is positive relationships with the students, families and staff.
Students' mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing are supported through a range of engaging and therapeutic activities. Students are encouraged to participate in outdoor recreation, gym-based fitness programs, and partnerships with local organisations to build resilience, confidence, and healthy lifestyles.
"For instance, we focus on creating meaningful community connections through partnerships with organisations such as the RSPCA. Students participate in authentic learning experiences and volunteer at the RSPCA facility, helping them build a sense of responsibility, commitment, and belonging while developing valuable life and employability skills through contributing to their community," Ms Arnott said.
The school also employs the Brother to Another youth program to give students culturally relevant peer support and sessions with local rapper Riley P encouraging students to express themselves through music.
"These experiences are relevant and engaging for young people, but the deal is you need to participate in the curriculum learning if this is going to work. Effort makes the good stuff possible."
Ms Chatterton said enhancing flexible pathways, increasing targeted support services, and working closely with schools, families and community partners to ensure students who have disconnected from schooling have accessible, inclusive and meaningful opportunities to re‑engage is key.
"This work reflects the NT Government's priority to raise school attendance, lift student outcomes, strengthen evidence-based teaching practices such as explicit instruction, and ensure every young person has a pathway back into learning," Ms Chatterton said.
"Supported by the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, our schools are continuing to invest in additional teachers, programs and practices that have a proven impact on student achievement. Combined with our efforts to improve attendance and engagement, and attract and retain more teachers in our schools, this will help more young Territorians reach their full potential."
School attendance by region
Central Region
Most improved: Mulga Bore School with the highest attendance increase of the region, up 20.7 percentage pointsHighest average attendance: Ross Park Primary School with an average attendance rate of 89.1%
Darwin Region
Most improved: Top End School of Flexible Learning with the highest attendance increase in the region, up 18.9 percentage pointsHighest average attendance: Parap Primary School with an average attendance rate of 93.3%
Barkly Region
Most improved: Neutral Junction School with the highest attendance increase of the region, up 15.2 percentage pointsHighest average attendance: Newcastle Waters School with an average attendance rate of 64.6%
Big Rivers Region
Most improved: Pine Creek School with the highest attendance increase in the region, up 7.7 percentage pointsHighest average attendance: Casuarina Street Primary School with an average attendance rate of 88.5%
Top End Region
Most improved: Mamaruni School with the highest attendance increase in the region, up 16.2 percentage pointsHighest average attendance: Zuccoli Primary School with an average attendance rate of 91.2%
East Arnhem Region
Most improved: Nhulunbuy High School with the highest attendance increase in the region, up 6.8 percentage pointsHighest average attendance: Nhulunbuy Primary School with an average attendance rate of 86.6%
