UK: Parents who take children out of school face clampdown
Parents who take their children on holiday during term time could face on-the-spot fines as part of an effort to stem the practise.
It is thought that as many as four million school days are lost each year because of parents taking their youngsters out of school to take advantage of cheaper holidays. Now parents who do so will face fines, with plans afoot for fixed-notice penalties and court appearances for those who do not gain the permission of the head teacher before taking their children on holiday.
The education minister Ivan Lewis told The Observer: “We regard taking children out of school for holidays without authorisation as truancy, pure and simple. Parents who are doing it are irresponsible.”
Department for Education and Skills research suggests just 13 per cent of parents “never” consider taking children on holiday during term time, while of those who DO take their children out, just 38 per cent get permission from the head teacher.
