One in 10 children are still absent from schools two years after the pandemic began and schools are trying to find ways to get them back. Some headteachers want fines for non-attendance re-imposed, but many parents are against it.
We asked whether parents not sending their children to school should be fined and most who responded on Facebook said no. There were a multitude of reasons why they were against penalties, showing just what a thorny issue this is and how hard school absence is to tackle.
The Welsh Government has today announced £4.9m of funding to increase the number of Family Engagement Officers employed by schools to tackle inequality and absence issues. It is hoped they will tackle the reasons so many children are still off school.
Read more: Parents and children are treating school as optional, says school governor
The Welsh Government has repeatedly said now is not the time to bring back non-attendance fines for parents. But some heads and school governors would like to see that. You can read our story on that here.
Children were told through lockdowns that they don’t need to be in school to learn and many have decided they still don’t. “They have scared the kids over the last two years and now some are scared to go to school,” commented Michael Jenkins.
Retired teacher Philip Edwards said fines should “never have been introduced in the first place.” Others warned that rising mental health problem s mean many children and teenagers can’t face going in to classes and there’s too little help for them.
Several said holidays are cheaper in term time and they’ll carry on taking advantage of that. Some parents said they wanted to take their children out of school to go on holiday and to get a break.
Caterina Rogers commented: “No fines should not be re introduced, with the cost of holidays so high in summer and half term it’s cheaper to take them term time.
“I’m not saying take children out just for holidays there are many reasons why kids miss school but children deserve some time to enjoy themselves as much as their parents or care givers.
“More help and support should be given to those who regularly miss school and support them back into education if needed
Rebecca Louise Jones felt fines should possibly come back, just not now: “I don’t think they should stop fining permanently but the thing is People have had holidays booked for two years that got cancelled or put off due to Covid.
“We originally booked ours for holiday time but due to availability and prices rising we’ve now had to go in term time not through choice. Or lose the money. Think they need to give some leniency until things get back to normal.”
Julie Ann Mcdowall said kids should be allowed to have fun: “let kids enjoy a holiday. what’s one more week going to do after missing nearly two years?,” she asked.
Linda Jones felt schools should not dictate what parents do: “They are our children and should have the right to choose how we run our family life particularly with the holiday price rises when taking our kids on a holiday in term time. We use our common sense to take them at the prices we can afford.”
Kerrie-anne Chaffey said children needed to learn to socialise again. She believes fines for non attendance should not be brought back.
“No! We’ve had a tough year! Children need experiences! We’ve had a hell of a period, my daughter was two when the pandemic started and she knows nothing about spending time with others.
“This week I’m allowing her to go for a few days with my sisters family! It’s an experience for her! Before Christmas my 11 year old went with my sister, and he absolutely loved the time away from us and his brother.”
Former school worker Sue Perry thinks it depends on the individual case: “I think if the parent is aware ie 'just let’s them stay home' then yes, but to flip the coin some parents are totally unaware what their kids get up to.
“I worked in a school for 20 years and I’ve lost count of the number of times I saw parents drop their kids off at the school gate and watched them walk in. As soon as they drive away I’ve watched the kid walk back out of the school with the parent off to work totally unaware.
“In that respect then it would be unfair to fine the parent. I’ve also seen kids go to registration get their mark then zip off out.
Cath Edwards said her child has only just returned to classes after two years but “already certain year groups have been closed a number of times because of teachers... surely you can’t then fine children if they’re off on other days?.”
Siobhan Darling admitted she was having difficulties getting her child to school and said parents should not be penalised.
“I am currently having problems getting my child to go to school. And it’s not from lack of trying.
“My child is on the waiting list to be tested for autism and sometimes the thought of school completely overwhelms her. So much so that she refuses to go. I would hate as a single working parent to be fined for something that is outside of my control as I can’t physically force her to go. And anyone with an autistic child will know how hard it can be sometimes.”
Catherine Barwick felt more attention should be given to why children are away.
“There needs to be clearer parameters in place so as not to penalise parents who are generally trying their hardest, yes fine those that are going on holiday but to fine parents who have children with MH issues or are neuro diverse flies in the face or the rhetoric about caring,” she commented.
Mark Howell warned that not sending children to school is a “punishment” for the child in the long run though.
“There has been enough said over the last two years about the amount of schooling children have missed. If parents take their children out of school they are only punishing their own child by missing out on more school time to add to what they have already missed,” he said.”
Joanne Elizabeth Halstead pointed out that education is still so disrupted it would be hard to fine parents: “Half my son’s year have been kept at home today through lack of teaching staff, email sent late yesterday.
“Parents don’t receive any compensation for potential lost earnings if they suddenly have a child at home on short notice so why fine parents if their child is absent with a genuine reason? They have had a tough couple of years which will have repercussions for years to come yet.”
Menna Mercer said people with genuine reasons for keeping their child at home should not be fined.
“I understand there are people that will always abuse systems for whatever reason but for children that are genuinely ill absolutely not.”
Jo Rowe agreed “It all depends on why the child was off school”.
“A child’s well-being is top priority. If they are off school for this reason then I don’t think a fine should be given,” she said, “Memories made with family and having fun and feeling loved is a massive part of a child’s life.”
Former school worker Sue Perry thinks it depends on the individual case.
“I think if the parent is aware ie just let’s them stay home then yes, but to flip the coin some parents are totally unaware what their kids get up to.
“I worked in a school for 20 years and I’ve lost count of the number of times I saw parents drop their kids off at the school gate and watched them walk in. As soon as they drive away I’ve watched the kid walk back out of the school with the parent off to work totally unaware.
“In that respect then it would be unfair to fine the parent. I’ve also seen kids go to registration get their mark then zip off out.
"Yes, bring back fines"
A few commented that fines are needed to get children back to school.
“Yes, a child’s education is important,” said Ian Ball.
Roger Silcox went further: “Parents who neglect their child’s education are simply creating more poorly educated, fodder for the future. The problem just rolls over and over.”
Mel Jones thought fines would make parents think what their kids are up to: “Yes maybe they will care a bit then what their little cherubs are up to making other peoples lives a misery with gangs.
Jackie Bagnall agreed: “Yes. There is no real deterrent at the moment and kids are taken out for any reason.”
Paul Thomas, Jayne Byrne, Eirlys Roberts, Sarah Jones, and Norma Watkins all simply wrote “yes” in answer to the question - should fines for parents not sending their children to school be re-imposed.
Jody Bowles thought more thought was needed:”I think if the parent is neglecting to send them to school yes, but if a parent has issues with their child then no.
“I know a lot of families like myself who find it hard to send a child to school who does not want to be there because of special needs reasons. They should not be punished.”
£25m for schools in Wales
Education Minister Jeremy Miles has announced almost £25m of investment in the next financial year to tackle the impact of poverty on young people’s attainment.
He said the cash will help more schools operate and develop as Community Focused Schools, which reach out to engage families and work with the wider community to support all pupils and particularly those disadvantaged by poverty.
"£4.9m of investment will be used to expand the number of Family Engagement Officers employed by schools to tackle inequality and absence issues, helping provide more support to children and families who need it most," the Welsh Government said.
