The board considers the development of a national tracking system in this area to be a priority. It is likely that such a system will be IT based and require careful advance planning before being developed and implemented nationally. It is important that any IT systems purchased by schools for tracking attendance locally are consistent with the new national tracking arrangements to be put in place by the board. It was in this context that schools were advised by the board not to enter into any new financial commitment in relation to the purchase and/or development of new systems for attendance-tracking pending the issue of further guidance on the matter by the board. The board will shortly be appointing an IT manager with responsibility for this area.