However, discrimination sometimes makes the enjoyment of this right problematic for children with disabilities. Discrimination in education is the third most common ground of complaint to the federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner. To address this, the inquiry recommended that each State and Territory education department should ensure that all teaching staff and school administrators are trained in disability discrimination laws and obligations and how to meet the educational and social development needs of students with a disability. Truancy Evidence received from young people during focus groups suggested that some students are absent from school more often than they attend. Reasons for truancy include boredom at school, embarrassment and frustration at poor performance, fear of bullying or harassment, drug dependency, family stress or conflict, homelessness and defiance of authority.
Some children are chronically absent from school.
Indigenous students are particularly at risk of truancy and dropping out of the school system altogether. They have a significantly lower retention rate than non-Indigenous students. In light of the link between chronic truancy and exposure to the juvenile justice system, the inquiry recommended the federal government co-ordinate the development and implementation of a national strategy to reduce truancy. The Convention requires that school discipline be administered in a manner consistent with children's human dignity and other rights, such as children's right to be heard on matters that affect them. The inquiry acknowledged that schools need to discipline students to ensure the safety of the school environment and to ensure that children's behaviour does not jeopardise the learning opportunities of other students.