Potential Consequences for Swiss Students Who Miss School During Regular School Terms
In the headlines of Swiss and French media in April 2025, a mother faced a 2,000-franc fine for taking her four kids out of school before summer vacation to fly to Canada. Unsatisfied with this steep penalty, she appealed the school board's decision in the small community of Maienfeld, Graubuünden, where her family resides.
The court ruled in her favor, reducing the fine to 400 francs - 100 francs per child. Nevertheless, this hefty fine for a family vacation isn't entirely unusual in Switzerland.
Swiss schools prioritize the importance of kids attending classes and discourage non-essential absences, such as for extended vacations. However, it's not unreasonable; schools aim to avoid establishing a precedent that might weaken the commitment to education.
This particular case highlighted the capricious imposition of "absence fines" in schools throughout Switzerland. The inconsistent nature of Swiss schools arises from their decentralized nature, with each canton setting its penalties, rules, and practices.
Beat A. Schwendimann, a spokesperson for the Swiss Teachers' Association (LCH), expressed concerns about this lack of unity, arguing that it could generate friction among parents and potentially damage the relationship between school and home.
The LCH encourages a more harmonized approach to fines on a national level, suggesting that fines should serve as a last resort rather than the initial solution.
Parents should be aware that the rules for taking children out of school for non-justified absences, such as vacations, vary by education board. Generally, parents must request permission from the school, explaining the need for their child to be absent from class during term time. Depending on the school's response, the parent may face a fine for non-compliance.
Some cantons allow for one or two freely selectable vacation days, often referred to as "wildcard days." However, even with these days, parents should still inform the board and secure their approval before removing their child from school.
It's essential to remember that these rules apply primarily to public schools, while private institutions tend to be more flexible regarding term-time absences.
- The Swiss Teachers' Association (LCH) has advocated for a more harmonized approach to fines, as inconsistent fines across different Swiss schools could potentially create tension between parents and schools.
- While some cantons in Switzerland offer 'wildcard days' for children's vacation, parents must still seek approval from the school before taking their children out of school during term time to avoid potential fines.
- General news reports have highlighted that various Swiss schools levy fines on parents for taking their children on vacations during school term, with the penalties varying by education board.
