Germany Warns Parents: School Attendance Mandatory Before and After Holidays

As Germany braces for the summer holiday rush, a stern reminder echoes from education authorities in Lower Saxony and Bremen: school attendance remains mandatory right up to the last day and from the first day of the new term. The warning comes as families might consider extending holidays for cheaper travel or to avoid peak travel times.

Authorities emphasize that unexcused absences are a violation of compulsory education laws, which are constitutionally enshrined. Such violations can trigger administrative offenses and result in fines. Bremen's education senator, Mark Rackles, acknowledged the challenges families face with holiday planning, especially with differing school holiday schedules across states or relatives living abroad. However, he stressed that school attendance is not a formality but a cornerstone of successful learning and equal educational opportunities.

The message from Bremen's school authority is unequivocal: "Early starts or extensions of holidays are generally not approved." While acknowledging that individual cases with strong justifications might be reviewed, the authority requires "suitable proof." Common reasons like seeking longer holidays, cheaper fares, or avoiding traffic jams are explicitly dismissed. Flight delays or car breakdowns also do not qualify. The Lower Saxony Ministry of Education clarified that illness or significant family events, such as weddings or funerals, could be considered valid reasons for an exception.