Increased penalties for students who discontinue their education.

In the city of Bremen, the Senator for Children and Education, Sascha Karolin Aulepp, has announced changes to fines for school attendance violations. The adjustments aim to align with federal state guidelines and send a clear message without disproportionately burdening families.

Previously, students and their guardians were fined 30 and 150 euros respectively for a first offense. For subsequent offenses, fines increased to 250 euros for a second offense and 300 euros for third offenses and beyond. However, the new fines have been revised.

For a first-time offense, students now face a fine of 50 euros, while more serious violations can result in fines up to 150 euros. Repeated offenses can lead to fines of up to 350 euros. It is important to note that these fines serve as a last resort after educational measures, and procedures are not automatically initiated; schools must first report the absences.

The data for the 2024/25 school year shows a concerning trend. Unauthorized school absences during holidays have increased by almost a third since the 2022/23 school year, from 51 to 82. This increase has led to a total of 266 cases, which represents 37% of all fine procedures.

The absolute number of unauthorized school absences has nearly doubled within two school years (+88.6%). In the 2022/23 school year, there were 141 cases, representing 19.8% of all fine procedures. The 2023/24 school year saw a slight increase, with 166 cases, or 25.5% of all fine procedures.

Senator Aulepp emphasizes that unauthorized absences harm children's educational success and are not a minor offense. The education department then investigates and makes a decision on fines. Fines for a first repeated absence (up to a week) are now 150 euros, compared to previous daily fines of 35 euros per day (175 euros per week).

It is worth noting that the maximum fine of 350 euros is well below the legal limit of 1,000 euros. The intention behind the moderate fines is to send a clear signal without disproportionately burdening families.

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Guardian fines remain similar but have an additional tier, with fines up to 150 euros. Fines for repeated offenses can rise to 350 euros. The Senator for Children and Education in Bremen, Sascha Karolin Aulepp, is adjusting fines for school attendance violations to match other federal states' guidelines.

In conclusion, the changes in school attendance fines in Bremen aim to address the rising issue of unauthorized school absences while ensuring a fair and proportionate approach. The education department continues to investigate each case and make decisions on fines, with the ultimate goal of promoting regular school attendance and supporting the educational success of all students.