Across the country, the number of students attending school regularly remains well below pre-pandemic levels.

But in Tasmania, where there's an aging population and historically poor literacy levels , the problem has education experts worried about the state's future.

The state government is trying to drive up school attendance by expanding its free breakfast program and launching a new marketing campaign, featuring home-grown AFL great Jack Riewoldt.

"Like anything in life, you only get out what you put in," says the former Richmond captain.

At Launceston's Riverside High School, where children line up for toast and cereal, Education Minister Jo Palmer tells reporters that "every single school day matters".

"What we're trying to do, first and foremost, is make sure we get childre

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