Parents may be fined 100 manats if a student misses seven days of school – what do the rules say?

Parents may be fined 100 manats if a student subject to compulsory general education misses more than seven school days in a month without a valid reason. When does this rule apply, and what are parents’ responsibilities?

“Operative Information Center-OMM”, citing İctimai TV, reports that attendance is not merely a matter of school discipline, but also an important condition for ensuring a child’s right to education.

Both schools and parents have specific responsibilities in preventing students from missing classes.

How do parents view the fines?

Residents have differing views on the matter. Some parents believe that monitoring a child’s attendance is directly their responsibility. Others say a fine should not be imposed when there is a valid reason, particularly if a medical certificate is provided.

One resident said that if a child misses school without a valid reason, the parent should monitor the child’s attendance. Another said fines should not apply in cases of illness or other legitimate circumstances.

What does the law say?

Under current rules, parents must ensure their children receive compulsory education and monitor their attendance.

According to an education expert, parents may be held responsible if they cause a child to leave the education process. Early marriage, involving a child in employment and other circumstances that keep a child out of education are also taken into account.

The expert noted that liability under the law may not be limited to a fine. The use of more severe measures depends on the specific legal grounds and circumstances of each case.

Official statement

The State Agency for Preschool and General Education said that general secondary education is compulsory in Azerbaijan. The state takes relevant measures to bring children who are out of education back into school.

According to the agency, parents are obliged to ensure their children receive compulsory education and to monitor their attendance. The law provides for parental liability when these duties are not fulfilled without a valid reason.

The agency also said that if a student’s attendance is not ensured, the matter is referred to the local education department and, where necessary, to executive authorities and law enforcement agencies.

Thus, the main aim of the rule is not to fine parents, but to prevent children from missing compulsory education and to protect their right to learn. Whether a fine is imposed in a particular case depends on the reason for the student’s absence and the relevant legal requirements.