Parents could face court for taking their children on holiday during the school term, an association for Irish school principals has warned.
The National Association of Principals and Deputies (NAPD) is warning that illness or bereavement remains the only acceptable excuse for non-attendance at school.
Current law dictates children must stay in school until the age of 16 – with failure to do so resulting in action from the child and family agency, Tusla.
On The Pat Kenny Show NAPD Director Paul Crone said schools will act if a child repeatedly fails to turn up for school.
“Schools follow up with notes to parents at first and phone calls to ask why a child was absent,” he said.
“If they miss ten days, generally, the school will send a letter home to the parent informing them there is a worrying attendance trend.
“When they reach 20 days in the school year, the education welfare board will be informed as well as Tusla.”
Tusla under pressure
Mr Crone said the high number of children refusing to go to school in Ireland is putting pressure on Tusla.
“Absences are higher than [Tusla’s] services can cope with right now,” he said.
“What they would do is generally engage with the school and try and get the school to follow up with a parent to see if there is a legitimate reason.
“The student might be a school refuser. The school might generally be aware if there are issues like health or bereavement.”
If the problem persists, serious penalties may be applied.
“There could potentially be court appearances,” said Mr Crone.
“Under law, students must attend school and I do know a number of cases that have ended up before the courts, some of them high profile.
“With a lot of parents, the thought or threat of that gets everyone working together and the student returns to school.”
No holiday endorsement
Mr Crone said it wouldn’t be wise for a parent to take their child out of school for a holiday.
“I’ll be very clear that students need to be in school all day, every day that the school is open,” he said.
“We can’t do our job if the student is not there so it’s not something we would endorse.
“Unfortunately, it does happen and we would be urging parents to do the right thing for the education of their child.”
Tina Regan, host of the Honey You're Ruining Our Kid parenting podcast, said children may miss out on social opportunities if they’re pulled out of school.
“If you’re going to take your child out of school for holidays, I would say to leave it to the end of the year,” she said.
“You have to think about their socialisation in school and if you take them out in early September, it’s the worst time for them in terms of making friends.
“These things are so important to kids so are you really doing something fair on your child by bringing them on holiday?”
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Ms Regan said the issue of “school refusers” is now widespread in Ireland, but parents shouldn’t be afraid to lay down the law.
“It’s really important for them to know what is expected of them,” she said.
“Going to school is a big parenting duty so it’s very important to get them there.
“It’s okay as a parent for your child to have consequences if they don’t listen to you or go to school – It’s okay to parent your child.”
Ms Regan added that some schools will allow for an arrangement between a student and a teacher to send in work by email if they are on holiday.
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Main image: A group of school children in school uniforms. Image: NorthScape / Alamy Stock Photo
