Government and travel industry tackle term-time holidays
The government has reached an agreement with the travel industry to offer cheaper holidays to families in an attempt to deter parents from taking their children on trips during the school term.
Officials estimate that one in six school truants are in fact away with their parents on holiday as families try to avoid the high price of breaks during the school holidays.
The new scheme, called Every Lesson Counts, will include incentives for parents to avoid taking their children out of school for a family break, with travel companies set to offer deals such as free places for children and early booking discounts.
Announced by the Department for Education and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) the new plan comes as the government prepares to release the latest figures on truancy this week.
ABTA and the main tour operators including Thomas Cook, Kuoni, Virgin are expected to promote new discounted deals in time for the Christmas break and next year’s summer holidays, with early booking deals to be advertised through a dedicated website from November.
Under a trial scheme last year parents were offered a range of deals including a guaranteed free child place per booking and discounted holidays in Florida and California.
The Department for Education said it wanted to make term time holidays the exception, rather than the rule.
“Taking a holiday during term-time can mean that children miss important school time and coursework,” said a spokesman for the department.
“A term-time holiday is all too often seen as the rule – it should be the exception.”
“Of course we recognise that supply and demand can lead to price differences in periods of peak demand.”
“So, we are delighted to be joining with the travel industry to encourage parents to book early to help them keep prices down and their children in school.”
A spokesman for ABTA said supply and demand could lead to holiday price differences during periods of peak demand, but that families would now be able to keep costs down and keep their children in school by booking breaks early.
