Taking Kids On Holiday During Term Time
By Paul Connor
@mrtoffee (1522)
November 5, 2015 5:16am CST
This is a subject that is very topical here in the United Kingdom as over the last couple of years the government has become very strict on parents taking their children out of school for family holidays. The government has introduced pretty hefty fines but it does not seem to have deterred parents and even teachers seem to be doing it.
Personally I am totally against this practice of fining parents for taking their kids out of school for a week or two if the child in question has a good attendance record. Holidays during the school holidays can often be double the price of the same trip in term time and the children do learn from their travels.
Education is far more then what we learn in a class room and sometimes experiencing new cultures can be one of the greatest lessons we ever learn. I say give parents the freedom back to experience life with their children, one or two weeks grace a year is all we need. The kids education will be enhanced and they will learn so many new things as a result.
6 people like this
6 responses
@jillybean1222 (6408)
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6 Nov 15
exactly! my goodness! to fine a family for taking their child out of school seems ridiculous.
3 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
5 Nov 15
Too many parents treat schools as free child-minders and don't respect the purpose and process of education. I think anyone who wants to take their kids out of school should have to apply to the school before booking. And £60 is not a big fine if people are getting their trip for hundreds of pounds less.
2 people like this
@mrtoffee (1522)
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5 Nov 15
I agree the education system need to be respected and advance notice should given @boingboing although as a parent I have never seen schools as a form of free child care. I also think that a child's attendance should be high in order for the school to give permission of a holiday in term time. The fine of £60 a week soon goes up if you have a few kids two, but I agree it is usually a lot lover than the cost difference of going during the summer holidays.
@jillybean1222 (6408)
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6 Nov 15
yes, we need to "respect" the education our children can receive in the system. However, family life is important, quite valuable in fact, on the formation of our children. And as long as the children make up what they miss, what is the harm?
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
6 Nov 15
@jillybean1222 I think it's the impact on the other kids that's worse. If they don't get to learn new things because the teacher's doing 'catch up' with the kids who missed school, the ones who turn up every day lose out.
Also, as a tax payer with no kids, I don't appreciate paying for something that the recipients don't appear to appreciate or respect.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
6 Nov 15
Kids get long holidays and plenty of time for trips. The only exception I would make is for parents in jobs that refuse to give time off during the holidays and even then, the kids need an excellent attendance record to justify time off.
1 person likes this
@bookbar (1609)
• Sudbury, England
6 Nov 15
Maybe the UK gov.should turn their attention to travel companies, that take unfair advantage of this and as you say, double or triple prices on this premis of fining parents, and fine them if they're caught increasing prices to hit parents pockets... it's not fair and a form of racketeering, when they have 12 months to increase their profits...
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6408)
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6 Nov 15
Fines? Wow! i had no idea. I think FAMILY should come first. Then education. Of course, education is important, but yes, family time is not only important, but can also lead to much life education. Is homeschooling legal there? Just curious since they fine for missing
1 person likes this
@mrtoffee (1522)
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6 Nov 15
Yes we can home school here in the UK but it is pretty rare @jillybean1222
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