The project aimed to design, create, and develop the Scientific Observatory on School Attendance (Observatory SOS-Attendance). Its objectives were: (1) to collect and analyze data on school attendance issues across different European countries; (2) to identify risk and protective factors related to absenteeism; (3) to develop evidence-based protocols and guidelines for schools and professionals; (4) to provide training resources for teachers, counselors, and families; (5) to raise awareness among the educational community and policymakers about the importance of preventing absenteeism and early school leaving; and (6) to strengthen cooperation between universities and schools to ensure a sustainable impact.
The request for this project was based on the fact that school absenteeism and early school leaving represent a major challenge for education systems in Europe. Educational centers in Spain, Italy, Turkey, and later also in Portugal, reported increasing difficulties in motivating students to attend classes regularly, especially in contexts of social disadvantage and cultural diversity. Teachers and families often lacked training resources, tools, and common protocols to prevent absenteeism and to act effectively when it occurred. The identified need was therefore to create a coordinated European response, combining scientific research, online training, and awareness-raising. The project was designed to build a Scientific Observatory on School Attendance capable of collecting reliable data, sharing evidence-based strategies, and offering accessible resources to schools, professionals, students, families, and policymakers.