Education - Skipping school for cheaper vacation flights can be expensive
Parents planning to let their own children skip the last few days of school before summer holidays to secure cheaper vacation flights? This is not a good idea according to official statements: Police controls and fines may apply. Parents with school-aged children therefore often have to pay higher travel costs.
The Hessian Ministry of Education in Wiesbaden informed the German Press Agency regarding the summer holidays starting on Saturday (13. July) in the state: "Parents' trips do not justify a leave of absence according to jurisprudence and this will be strictly checked in schools."
Furthermore, the ministry explained: "The fine catalog sees fines/penalties of at least 200 Euro for offenses related to school holidays, including up to five days before or after the school holidays." The Wiesbaden authority reportedly knows of police checks, for example at airports, to ensure school attendance.
Older, non-school attending girls and boys can be referred to their further education institution according to their statements, if they absent themselves for at least six consecutive school weeks without a valid reason from at least six school days.
A leave during school time can only be granted, according to the ministry, "in exceptionally justified cases." The classroom teacher decides for absences up to two days before or after the holidays, the school principal for longer absences. Leaves can be granted, for example, "for weighty professional reasons" or for a significant family event such as death, marriage, or serious illness of a family member.
- Despite the potential cost savings, parents in Hesse should be cautious about taking vacation flights during the last few days of school before summer vacation, as they may face police controls and fines.
- The German Press Agency reported that the Hesse Ministry of Education in Wiesbaden has made it clear that parents' trips do not justify a leave of absence during the summer holidays, and strict checks will be conducted in schools.
- Parents with school-aged children in Hesse may need to pay more for their vacation flights due to potential fines, as the police are known to carry out checks at airports to ensure school attendance.
- According to the ministry's statement, older children who are not in school can be referred to their further education institution if they absent themselves for at least six consecutive school weeks without a valid reason from at least six school days.
- The Ministry of Education in Wiesbaden noted that leaves during school time can only be granted in exceptionally justified cases and stated that the classroom teacher has the authority to approve absences up to two days before or after the holidays, while the school principal is responsible for longer absences.
- Tour operators may want to consider the potential implications of booking vacation flights around the summer holidays for families with school-aged children in Hesse, given the likelihood of police controls and the potential fines for parents who choose to take their children out of school without proper authorization.
