PIO couple in UK court for taking kids out of school

An Indian-origin couple in <g data-gr-id="22">UK</g> has been dragged to court for taking their two children out of school during term time to visit their grandfather who was undergoing surgery in India.

Shahnawaz and Sofiya Patel had put in a request for their two sons’,  Omar, 11, and <g data-gr-id="24">Eiad</g>, 8 ? studying in a primary school in Preston, north-west England, for an authorised absence to make the trip last December, but the school refused permission. “We did not want our children to miss out on potentially their only opportunity to see their grandfather in person so we decided to take them,” 

Shahnawaz told ‘The Guardian’.

“This was the first ever request made to the school and my children have never had any unauthorised absences. I even asked the school for work to be taken during our visit, this too was declined,” he said.

Since September 2013, local council authorities have to <g data-gr-id="23">fine</g> families who take children out of school for unauthorised absences to crack down on parents saving costs by booking holidays during <g data-gr-id="20">school</g> term.

According to government guidelines, children can only be taken out of school during term time following an application to the headteacher and if circumstances are “exceptional”.

The Patels, however, were told their circumstances were “not exceptional” and fined 480 pounds.