A 48-year-old mother from Uherske Hradiste is facing up to five years in prison for endangering the upbringing of her schoolboy son. According to the police, the boy missed 728 hours of school between September 2019 and January 2022 without a proper excuse, with his mother neglecting his regular and proper school attendance. The police commissioner, Radomir Siska, announced on Friday that the woman did not supervise her son’s preparation for school or respect the conditions for excusing him from classes, resulting in him not receiving a proper education.

The woman has reportedly been punished in the past for similar behavior. Another case in Uherske Hradiste involves a 39-year-old mother and a 54-year-old father who are also suspected of endangering the upbringing of their underage daughter. The police say that the girl missed 262 school hours during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 school years. The parents also face up to five years in prison.

Under Czech law, it is mandatory for children aged 6 to 15 to attend school regularly, with parents responsible for ensuring their child’s proper education. Excusing a child from classes can only be done for specific reasons, such as illness or an important family matter, and requires proper documentation. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a fine, imprisonment or deprivation of parental rights.

The issue of truancy in Czech schools is not uncommon, with some parents choosing to keep their children out of school for various reasons, such as economic hardship or a lack of interest in education. The pandemic has also contributed to an increase in absenteeism due to concerns over the virus. The Czech government has implemented measures to address truancy, such as offering financial support to low-income families to cover school expenses and providing counseling services to families in need. However, cases like these highlight the need for continued efforts to ensure that all children receive a proper education.

Article by Prague Forum