Freedom to Sail Over the May Holidays, but School's Still in Session
Risks for children who leave school prematurely: potential consequences for their future prospects
It's high time for a well-deserved vacation during the May holidays, and what better way to spend it than a seaside getaway? However, while adult workers can take Fridays, May 2nd and 9th off to enjoy consecutive extended weekends, school-aged children have no such luxury. Despite the longing sighs of parents with other plans, the Ministry of Education expects students to attend the classes scheduled in their timetable.
But fear not, there is a silver lining! On Fridays, May 30th and Saturday, May 31st, 2025, children will exceptionally have the day off.
Missing a few days of school can be allowed, as long as an absence authorization is provided to the school director. Common reasons for absences include illness, family emergencies, transportation problems, or accompanying legal representatives on a trip outside of school holidays.
The Ministry of National Education stresses the importance of communicating the reason for the absence to the school director well in advance. Failure to do so may result in a warning from the academic services of the National Education. Persistent unjustified absences can lead to hefty fines of up to 750 euros and even prison sentences, with fines reaching 30,000 euros.
Sophie Venititay, secretary-general of the SNES-FSU, a teacher's union, expressed her concerns over the incongruity of the situation. "We know we won't have all the students," she admitted in an interview with RMC, adding, "The 'we didn’t know' excuse is quite hypocritical. The calendar is known in advance and it contributes to the school's loss of credibility".
In the French education system, the regulations regarding school absences emphasis more on teacher responsibilities and payment structures compared to student absence frameworks. Teachers, for instance, are typically not paid for missed classes unless rescheduled, whereas student-specific absence exceptions are not explicitly defined, requiring consultation of national education guidelines.
Around this article, key themes include:
- school
- education
- holidays
- teacher
- school start
- Children are expected to attend school on the May holidays, despite the tempting opportunity for a seaside getaway, as school-aged children have no exception from attending classes during this period.
- On Fridays, May 30th and Saturday, May 31st, 2025, there will be an exceptional day off for school-aged children, although attending classes is still mandatory for most of the May holidays.
- Absence authorization is required if a child is going to miss a day of school, with common reasons including illness, family emergencies, transportation problems, or accompanying legal representatives on a trip outside of school holidays.
- In the French education system, teacher responsibilities and payment structures are given greater emphasis than student absence frameworks, with teachers typically not paid for missed classes unless rescheduled, whereas student-specific absence exceptions are not explicitly defined, requiring consultation of national education guidelines.
