Fines of up to £1,000 per child for parents who refuse to send kids to school because of COVID-19 fears

Schools across Northern Ireland will start to return next month for the first time since they were instructed to close because of Coronavirus in March.

In a direct response to a query submitted to the Department of Education, the News Letter asked if parents keeping their children off school because of fears concerning COVID-19 would face potential fines and prosecution as per the 'action on school absenteeism' set out on the official Northern Ireland Direct Government Services website.

A spokesperson for DE specifically referred to the Northern Ireland Re-Opening Schools Guidance: New School Day document when addressing what it deemed as acceptable reasons for absenteeism.

“The Minister’s objective has always been, and remains, the full-time resumption of classroom-based learning for all pupils as soon as it is safely possible to do so.

“In support of this position, the Department has published guidance to allow schools to plan for the new school day.

"Schools are expected to follow the guidance and to plan for the return of pupils in line with the Minister’s objective.

"The guidance is also clear on circumstances under which children/young people should not attend schools," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added: “It is premature and unhelpful to speculate on actions parents may or may not take in respect of their planned return next month.

“The Department will continue to be guided by medical and scientific developments between now and 24 August.”

The guidance referred to by the DE spokesperson concerns children with health conditions or who live with someone with a health condition or who is pregnant.

The document also refers to children who are clinically vulnerable with pre-existing health conditions or who live with someone who is clinically vulnerable and pupils who are shielding or who live with someone who is shielding.

No where in the document does it state it is acceptable for parents to stop their children from attending school because of fears over Coronavirus.

All schools in Northern Ireland and the Education Authority (EA) have the right to find out why a child is not attending school.

If a school opts to refer a child to the Education Welfare Service (EWS) an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) will arrange to meet the parents and child at their home.

Should parents continue to ignore the advice and continue to keep their children from attending school they could face fines of up to £1,000 per child.

The education authorities would also have the right to prosecute parents but this is described by DE as a "last resort".

School children across Northern Ireland will begin a phased return on August 23, 2020.