A proposal submitted to the conference of state leaders (MPK) in Berlin this Thursday calls for stricter enforcement of compulsory school attendance by the sixteen German states. The initiative, which originates in Hesse, comes in response to a noticeable rise in unexcused absences over recent years.
Prime ministers agree that “the right of every child and youth to education must be decisively enforced, and violations of compulsory schooling should be consistently sanctioned”. Accordingly, the draft resolution urges the creation of “appropriate regulations” to apply sanctions effectively.
The ministers also stress the necessity of identifying the root causes of school absenteeism and developing preventive measures tailored to those causes. Such measures should ease the burden on families and counteract withdrawal from the educational system. “Children need reliable everyday structures. Those who skip school lose access to education, classmates, and state protection” said Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) in an interview with “Die Welt”. “Compulsory schooling is not an optional offer but the foundation for a successful school life. Therefore, we must penalise violations more relentlessly and tackle the underlying causes early”.
The plan calls for state intervention when parents fail to fulfil their responsibilities, including sanctions. At the same time, families should receive stronger support so that children and adolescents do not drop out of the system, but find their schooling enriching, instructive, and fulfilling.