Congested summer
10 days of concession
One knock-on effect – though surely not
intended by the policymakers – of the 10%
limit is the potential stifling of a pupil’s
extra-curricular activities, including sports,
political engagement, organisation work,
and other things.
Some leniency is on offer, though. Initially,
all absence from school will be logged.
But if the pupil can provide compelling
reasons for missing out, she can have up
to 10 days scratched from that log.
The longest school holiday of the year, the
summer, is already congested enough for
most pupils.
These eight weeks are when summer
sporting events take place, summer jobs,
political camps, and all other things for which
there is less scope during the school year.
Throw in a youth exchange, and the pupil
suddenly has a full schedule, without much
holiday at all.
Get a feel of the time squeeze at 16, why
don’t you?
That does provide some welcome scope
for voluntary work for an organisation,
participation in the political sphere, and
representation in events of a sports- or
cultural nature.
The good news for youth workers and
others who are involved in international
youth work is that, given a relevant topic,
a pupil can also be allowed to be absent
for participation in youth exchanges during
the school year.
By submitting a simple form, along with
an attached description of the activity
from the partner organisation, the school
administration can approve a pupil’s
participation in a youth exchange as exempt
from the 10% absence limit.
But within these days of exemption are also
all health and welfare related issues.
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