Should school truancy fines be scrapped? Join The Independent Debate

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Parents have been warned of latest guidelines for taking their youngsters out of school, with greater fines set to be launched for individuals who don’t search permission.

The controversial transfer follows a drop in attendance after the pandemic and an increase in homeschooling.

School absence fines at the moment begin at £60, rising to £120 if they don’t seem to be paid inside 21 days. But the DfE has mentioned fines will now begin at £80, rising to £160.

Data reveals that just about 90% of fines have been for unauthorised holidays, typically booked exterior school phrases for monetary causes.

While Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has emphasised the significance of attendance, critics argue that fines could not be the best device. They name for focused assets to handle the foundation causes of poor attendance, together with help for susceptible households and youngsters’s psychological well being.

We need to know in the event you suppose these steeper penalties will repair widespread truancy points, or will they merely punish mother and father who’re already making an attempt their finest to get their youngsters to school?

And even in the event you don’t battle the peel your youngster from their mattress within the morning, with the price of going away rocketing throughout school holidays, many mother and father are understandably tempted to take their youngsters overseas in time period time to avoid wasting pennies and permit their household to expertise the wonders of journey.

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