Post by Imbannedeverywhere on Aug 10, 2015 20:51:48 GMT
The third term of the school year may have started three weeks ago but there's plenty of stragglers missing from class, apparently sunning themselves on palm-fringed beaches.
The latest polar blast may well be tempting you to escape the savage snare of winter's fang for a pre-spring burst of tropical heat but would you take your kids out of school?
I've been having a passionate exchange of views with an old friend of mine, who's just arrived home from a South Pacific sojourn. Her years 4, 7 and 11 children returned to school yesterday after 10 days of tropical island indulgence.
The latest polar blast may well be tempting you to escape the savage snare of winter's fang for a pre-spring burst of tropical heat but would you take your kids out of school?
I've been having a passionate exchange of views with an old friend of mine, who's just arrived home from a South Pacific sojourn. Her years 4, 7 and 11 children returned to school yesterday after 10 days of tropical island indulgence.
My friend calculated she'd saved $1500 by delaying the winter holiday until Term 3 had commenced. But what is the cost of parent-condoned truancy, I enquired?
My friend bristled at my "overtly old-school" objections at her forcing the kids to bunk school for the sake of a cheaper overseas holiday.
She countered that most parents don't have a problem with it, estimating that at least a fifth of her children's classmates take overseas trips during term time.
What a disrespectful slap in the face to the value and esteem of teachers and the learning programme.
Why should school time be shamelessly sacrificed for cheaper flights? Why should the learning environment be trumped by the allure of Movie World's Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster?
My friend bristled at my "overtly old-school" objections at her forcing the kids to bunk school for the sake of a cheaper overseas holiday.
She countered that most parents don't have a problem with it, estimating that at least a fifth of her children's classmates take overseas trips during term time.
What a disrespectful slap in the face to the value and esteem of teachers and the learning programme.
Why should school time be shamelessly sacrificed for cheaper flights? Why should the learning environment be trumped by the allure of Movie World's Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster?
Two years ago, the UK government sought to combat the rampant escalation in parents pulling their kids out of school for cheaper holidays abroad by imposing instant fines of NZ$100. Plus, recidivist offenders are prosecuted, slammed with stiffer penalties and a criminal record.
The hard-line approach has dramatically turned the tide, with term-time absence rates plunging. In New Zealand, according to the Education Act, school principals can allow an absence for no more than five days.
The Ministry of Education's website warns that school boards can prosecute parents for their children's non-attendance "but only as a last resort".
The hard-line approach has dramatically turned the tide, with term-time absence rates plunging. In New Zealand, according to the Education Act, school principals can allow an absence for no more than five days.
The Ministry of Education's website warns that school boards can prosecute parents for their children's non-attendance "but only as a last resort".
www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/parenting/71001385/Taking-children-on-holiday-during-school-a-slap-in-the-face-Mike-Yardley
Would you keep your kids out of school to save money on your overseas trip?......So far the poll is split at 50/50
