A recent judgment from the highest court in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is provoking debate well beyond those countries. The judges of the Supreme Court found that the Isle of Wight council was entitled to fine a parent £120 (Dh545) for taking his son out of school to go on a holiday to Disney World in the United States. It ended a long-running battle through the court system and has set a precedent.
While school has just recommenced in the UAE this week, we will soon be entering Ramadan, when – as many teachers will tell you – classrooms can become quite empty. Of course, the holy month is, as it ought to be, respected with shorter school days, but that should not be seen as an excuse to skip lessons altogether.
Since September, all schools in Dubai oblige parents to sign contracts that, among other things, specify pupils’ responsibilities, including attendance and punctuality requirements. Adopting this system throughout the country ought to be a priority.
While some absences – for illness, bereavement or other family reasons – are justified, taking a child from school for a frivolous reason, such as grabbing a bargain airfare or beating the holiday rush, ought to open parents to some sort of penalty that could be decided on a case-by-case basis. Whatever it is, it must underscore the seriousness of the situation.
Taking a pupil out of school can disadvantage the child, and not just because they will miss out on learning and study time. They may also get a false impression about priorities in life. School sets a child up for a lifetime of work, where discipline and effort are not optional. The absence of one child can also have an effect on the whole class, especially if lessons are put on hold until the absentee returns, or the teacher has to waste other pupils’ time by helping the absentee catch up.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that school absenteeism can affect the future of the nation. A smart country needs smart students who become smart employees – and the education system can’t run at maximum efficiency when some students are habitually absent without leave.
