As the famous May holidays are fast approaching, some parents are asking themselves the following question: can I make my child miss school? We give you the answer (and explain it to you).
Every year, many of us adults take days off to be able to take advantage of long weekends of May. Stays in the countryside, visits to friends or family, a short trip to the seaside… These bridges are an opportunity to enjoy a getaway from everyday life without having to sacrifice too many days of rest (which we obviously prefer to save for the summer vacation)
On the other hand, for those of us who are parents, it can quickly become a headache. And for good reason, not all children are authorized by their school to be absent during bridges. While some parents prefer to give up their long weekends so as not to make their children miss school, others make the opposite choice. For them: no question of leaving without the children (or not leaving at all).
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Making your child miss school is punishable by a fine
But this approach is not without risk. In France, you can only make your child miss school for a valid reason (and going away for the weekend is not one of them). Here are the main accepted reasons:
- Illness of the child or their loved ones requiring their presence
- Judicial or administrative summons for the child
- Participation in high-level sporting or artistic activities
- Serious family reasons (moving, death of a loved one, etc.)
- School trips organized by the establishment
- Duly justified exceptional circumstances
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However, unjustified absences (as may be the case during May holidays) can result in consequences for children and parents, such as disciplinary measures and fines. The Education Code provides in particular that parents causing their child to miss school voluntarily and without valid reason incur a fine of 135 euros.
The penalty increases if you do it again
If you risk a fine of 135 euros the first time, this increases significantly if you repeat it. “If you continue, after a warning given by Dasen (Academic Director of National Education Services), not to impose on your child the obligation of school attendance and if you do not justify your child’s absence or if you give inaccurate reasons, you risk a fine of €750.”can we read on the site Service-public.fr.
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Moreover, “if these unjustified absences compromise your child’s education, you risk 2 years in prison and a €30,000 fine”, also warns the government site. It is therefore essential to check the rules and procedures of your child’s school in the event of an unexcused absence (some schools may have strict rules regarding absenteeism) before booking your long weekend away. the other end of France…
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Rights of women and children, violence, feminism, gender, discrimination, parenthood, education, psychology, health, couple, sexuality, social networks…. Joséphine loves deciphering all the social issues that drive our world…