Absence rates in schools in East Lothian have failed to return to pre Covid numbers, with more than one in ten pupils still missing from the classroom.
The local authority has introduced additional support staff across its schools to tackle the issue, with every secondary now employing a principal teacher of equity and school and family support workers in identified primary schools.
New figures have show attendance in secondary schools remains a full five per cent below what it was before the pandemic with an estimated 85 per cent attendance rate.
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In primary schools it also remains lower at 93 per cent compared to over 95 per cent in 2019.
Across all classrooms education chiefs say the average attendance has fallen from 93 per cent in 2019 to 89 per cent this year.
East Lothian Council said the new principal teachers and school and family support workers have a focus on improving attendance with lessons on the importance of school attending introduced in secondary personal and social education classes.
Information for parents and carers about the need for attendance and mentors have also been introduced.
In primary schools the new staff have been working to build relationships with children and families and piloting initiatives such as a walking bus to help children get to school in the morning.
A council spokesperson said: "Excellent attendance at school is crucial to ensure children and young people fulfil their potential and have the best possible start in life.
"Across the country, school attendance levels are lower than they were pre-Covid and this trend is also seen in East Lothian.
"The reasons are complex and include mental health issues, return to formal learning and increased anxiety around illness.
“Our schools, family support workers and education team work closely with families to understand the reasons behind non-attendance and to find practical ways that will support a return to full-time education which is vitally important for attainment and wellbeing as well as being a legal requirement.”
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