Pupils’ absences from school - Compulsory Education
Each pupil's absence from school must be justified by a written confirmation of the parent or guardian.
For absences over five days for health reasons a certificate of the doctor who attended the child is required, unless the headteacher is convinced otherwise.
For consecutive absences over five days with no reason that is considered by the school as a serious reason, the headteacher of the school should immediately notify the respective District Education Office.
Note that according to the Primary and Secondary Education (Compulsory Schooling and Provision of Free Education) of 1993 until 2024:
"Attendance at compulsory pre-primary education, primary school and junior high school is compulsory until the pupil completes the course of junior high school or his/her fifteenth birthday, whichever occurs first." [Article 3 (1)] and
"Whoever has the custody of the pupil and fails to enrol the pupil or supervise his /her attendance, as defined in Article 3, commits an offence punishable by imprisonment up to three months or a fine of up to 1.000 euros or to both such sentences." [Article 4]
For absences of more than five consecutive days or absences of fewer days but at regular intervals, without a valid reason assessed by the school headteacher as serious, the school headteacher informs in writing, immediately and in detail, the respective District Education Office. For all cases of unjustified absences, the District Education Office informs the Police and/or the Welfare Office accordingly, to take further action to ensure the child's right to education.
A parent/guardian who intends to remove their child before the end of lessons must first inform the school headteacher or the class teacher in writing, and then the pupil may leave the school premises.
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