Parents to be fined £60 when their child is late for school. Good idea or not?
HelenMFM
admin
Hello
We've just published a news story today about the rising number of primary schools who are introducing fines for parents whose children continually arrive late for class.
The standard fine is £60, rising to £120 if you don't pay within 21 days.
Local councils, who are administering the fine system, say it's a way to ensure all parents see the importance of getting their child to school on time in the morning.
But what do you think?
Do you think it's fair enough: being late 10 times for school is really a bit out of order anyway? Or do you think it's a bit harsh to levy a fine that big, especially if parents have to rely on public transport to get their children to school on time?
Do please let us know your views by adding a post to this discussion thread. We'd love to hear what your think!
Replies
Habitually late is not occasionally late because of unforeseen circumstances so what's the problem? If you were habitually late for work there would be consequences as well. "In Islington, North London, a fine will be given for children missing the register 12 times in 6 weeks": that's 12 days out of 30 - 40% of the time so the fine would work out at £5 per day. If you don't want to pay it, get up earlier - just get organised! It's not clear who gets to keep the money though - hopefully schools so that they can subsidise breakfast clubs but I suspect not.