Cheap term time holidays have been blamed for escalating truancy rates after Department for Education figures show record numbers of school absentees.
184,020 'persistent absentees' including 128,210 in secondary schools and 8,300 in special schools were recorded in the 2009-10 Department for Education report.
A spokesperson from the Association for Teachers and Lecturers said cut price term time holidays were partly the cause. Speaking to the Mirror, Dr Mary Bousted, the association's general secretary said:
'Regrettably, it is likely that greater numbers of cash-strapped parents will choose to take their children on holiday during term-time to avoid paying higher prices during school holidays.'
Dr Bousted added that education cuts were likely to lead to even higher truancy rates as staff employed to ensure children get to school faced being laid off.
She said it was her 'fear' that absence rates would rise as education budgets are cut.
What do you think?
Should there be a blanket ban on taking kids out of school for term-time holidays?
How could this be upheld?
Do you take your children out of school for cheaper getaways?
More on Parentdish: