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Should parents have the right to take children out of school during term time?

Helena

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Feb 28, 2018
514
791
It really is a tricky one ! It depends on what line you take here - if you look at it from the school establishment perspective then pupils missing from class at different intervals can be very disruptive to the learning process and to lesson plans and goals. Ensuring pupils catch up with work and assessments is an added issue to a very time pressured role. It shouldn’t really be a teacher’s problem but it becomes their problem because of parental decisions.
From a parental perspective holidays are infinitely cheaper outside of school holidays and many argue they cannot afford to enrich their children’s lives through cultural holidays when forced to take such holidays when schools are not in session. It is true that holidays soar in price over half term, Easter and summer holidays which is difficult but this is the reality of supply and demand.
The question perhaps is a moral one- what is the message you transmit to your children? The obligation is to attend school throughout the academic year - teachers must attend and therefore pupils too. Taking children out of school in term time sends a message to them that it is ok to break rules - is it? Can we go on holiday whenever we like when we have obligations to others. .?

Sorry I have gone on a bit ...
 
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danielnesbitt

Active Member
Apr 2, 2023
10
3
It really is a tricky one ! It depends on what line you take here - if you look at it from the school establishment perspective then pupils missing from class at different intervals can be very disruptive to the learning process and to lesson plans and goals. Ensuring pupils catch up with work and assessments is an added issue to a very time pressured role. It shouldn’t really be a teacher’s problem but it becomes their problem because of parental decisions.
From a parental perspective holidays are infinitely cheaper outside of school holidays and many argue they cannot afford to enrich their children’s lives through cultural holidays when forced to take such holidays when schools are not in session. It is true that holidays soar in price over half term, Easter and summer holidays which is difficult but this is the reality of supply and demand.
The question perhaps is a moral one- what is the message you transmit to your children? The obligation is to attend school throughout the academic year - teachers must attend and therefore pupils too. Taking children out of school in term time sends a message to them that it is ok to break rules - is it? Can we go on holiday whenever we like when we have obligations to others. .?

Sorry I have gone on a bit ...
I think you've covered it really well! It's a bit of a debate around libertarianism at its core, I suppose
 

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