Taking children from school could see parents fined

PARENTS who take their children out of school during term could be fined, the national agency that monitors pupil attendance has warned.

While the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) says it has no immediate plans to impose fines on parents, chief executive Eddie Ward said any such action could be considered “as a last resort”.

Mr Ward’s remarks come as educational authorities in Britain introduce measures which could result in parents being fined or, in extreme cases, sent to prison for taking their children on holidays in term time.