Audacious Parents at Stuttgart Airport Cannot be Deterred by Penalties
In Germany, school attendance is mandatory for children from the age of six, continuing for approximately 12 years. This rule is designed to ensure that every child receives a quality education and to promote social cohesion [1].
If a child misses more than five days of school without permission, the school is required to report the case to local authorities. This can lead to fines or further disciplinary actions being imposed [1]. It's worth noting that the legal obligation for school attendance rests with the parents or guardians, making them primarily responsible for any fines related to unauthorized absences, even when the child is 14 or older.
The fines for violating school attendance vary by federal state in Germany. For instance, in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the fine can reach up to 2,500 euros, while in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, and Saarland, the fine is capped at 1,000 euros. In Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia, the fine can amount to 1,500 euros [1].
Children aged 14 and above are criminally responsible for skipping school without permission and are expected to pay the associated fines themselves. However, the specifics regarding who pays the fine in such cases were not explicitly mentioned.
Parents who repeatedly or continuously violate their obligations may face criminal charges, potentially leading to fines of up to 180 daily rates or imprisonment of up to six months in Hesse, Saarland, Hamburg, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania [1].
It's important to note that violating school attendance is an administrative offense, and the probability of being caught, especially at passport control, is high. In Stuttgart, for example, approximately 40 to 60 students are found to be skipping school each year.
School attendance is mandatory until the last day before the holidays. Parents who repeatedly or continuously violate their obligations may face criminal charges, as previously mentioned.
For precise details regarding the regulations in a specific federal state, it's advisable to consult the local education authority. The information provided here serves as a general overview of the compulsory schooling laws and consequences of unauthorized absences in Germany.
In Germany, the responsibility for adhering to school attendance laws, which extend until the last day before holidays, lies primarily with the parents or guardians, even for children aged 14 or older. Violations of these laws can result in fines, with amounts varying by federal state, such as up to 2,500 euros in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Education and self-development are key aspects emphasized by these regulations, as they aim to provide quality education to every child and promote social cohesion in the region.
