A row has been sparked after two parents were fined a huge £480 for taking their children on holiday during term time.
Manchester Evening News readers have waded in with their opinions on whether it is acceptable to take children out of school for a holiday - and it has proven to be a divisive discussion. Some social media users say holidays are educational, others have lashed out at whopping price hikes during school breaks which can make trips abroad unaffordable, and many have branded teacher strikes as just as disruptive as a holiday.
The controversy comes after Paul Benson said the current system of fines was 'unfair' and that holidays during school term times were 'significantly' cheaper. Mr Benson and wife Jessica took their children, Ruby and George, who are currently at primary school, to Florida twice and were fined £240 on each occasion.
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The family was given warnings before their last trip, in September, that it would have a detrimental effect on their children's education. "My wife is a hospital theatre nurse who worked during the Covid crisis and they have a massive backlog of operations they are doing at the moment and it is difficult for us to get time off when we can all go together," he told YorkshireLive.
"It’s not like they are truant students, they might have had a two week holiday and two or three sick days. It’s significantly cheaper to go outside term time. A family of four like us to go to Florida during the summer holidays - we’d never be able to afford it.
"“To go in August you can be looking at twelve grand, but then a week or two later in September its £3,700, so you think: ‘Well we’ll take the fine’. If you can’t afford to go during the holidays, you are penalised for it, that’s how it makes you feel."
Many M.E.N. readers have come to the defence of the family, saying holidays can be just as educational as time in the classroom. Kim Herfoss wrote on Facebook: "Most times they would learn more about the world by travelling than sitting in a classroom! A short holiday would not hurt their education only enhance it!"
Deidre Reader added: "Going on holiday is a learning experience in itself, there is so much curriculum that can be [brought] in to the holiday experience."
Others agreed with the fines, but argued that there should be more leniency. Helen Joyce said: "The fines are well documented... If you want to save money out of holiday time then you have to be prepared to pay the fine. I do however believe that one week should be allowed during the term time."
John Calnan agreed, saying: "I would never take my kids off school during term, they [will] miss vital education which is much more important than a holiday, my wife and I always made sure to take a holiday when we both could arrange a proper date, certainly not during school term, parents should be ashamed of themselves and should [be] getting a bigger fine to deter them and others even more from doing it."
Other readers slammed the increase in flight and holiday prices during school holidays, especially in the current cost of living crisis. A handful highlighted what they believe is hypocrisy, suggesting that teachers' strikes within term time are as disruptive as any holiday.
Sarah Robertson commented on the M.E.N. Facebook page: "Our council area in Scotland allows parents to take kids out of school if in emergency services jobs. My family would never have had a holiday otherwise, as I was told when my leave was when they were younger.
"Holidays should also not be so much more expensive during school holidays. It's ridiculous."
Liam Tyson wrote in: "Yeah but it's fine for teachers to strike and miss school? Personally I think kids should be able to be taken out as holidays cost double when schools close."
Social media user Kirsty Dowden said the government should take action over skyrocketing holiday prices, saying: "The government should fine all travel companies for charging double and sometimes triple the normal rate during school holidays. Then this wouldn't happen so much.
"And sometimes with parents working shifts, it's more convenient to go out of school holidays. If the kids have and attendance rate above 90 per cent it shouldn't be an issue."
Amanda Jane added: "Absolutely they should have discretionary days/sessions for all students and staff, this way families can have affordable holidays and experiences. Often these can be far more beneficial than being at school. "
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