Saxony launches 7,924 truancy proceedings in 2024/25 school year as fines reach €1,250

Increase in administrative truancy proceedings

During the 2024/25 school year, authorities across Saxony initiated a total of 7,924 administrative offense proceedings against students who failed to attend compulsory classes. Figures provided by the Saxon Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs show a rise compared to 2017, when the state registered 7,113 such proceedings. The recorded caseload varies significantly across different educational institutions throughout the federal state. Official data indicates that these legal proceedings occur most frequently in secondary schools and vocational schools. Conversely, grammar schools registered the lowest frequency of truancy cases among all school categories in Saxony.

Legal thresholds and financial penalties

Under current state regulations, an administrative proceeding is initiated whenever a pupil records five unexcused days of absence from school. This formal legal step is taken only after direct communication and scheduled discussions with both the student and their legal guardians fail to resolve the absenteeism. In addition to school-level actions, authorities can involve the local youth welfare office in the process. Pursuant to the provisions of the Saxon School Act, committing this administrative offense can result in an official fine of up to €1,250.

Ministerial strategy and school support personnel

Saxony is actively revising its existing framework conditions across schools to counter pupil absenteeism through earlier and more structured intervention. State Education Minister Conrad Clemens, a member of the Christian Democratic Union, emphasized the binding nature of classroom attendance across all educational tiers.

Anyone who willfully stays away from school must expect consistent proceedings and fines. Early action is crucial.

In discussions held with affected students and their parents, educational staff work from the outset to present and incorporate targeted support measures. These early intervention teams can include advisory teachers, school social workers, school assistants, and certified school psychologists to address the root causes of absence before formal sanctions escalate.

Regulations governing authorized absences

The ministry reiterated that school attendance is mandatory for every enrolled pupil, granting leaves of absence only under strict exceptional circumstances. Any request for a leave of absence must be submitted to the school in writing and well in advance of the anticipated dates. Jurisdiction over these formal requests depends on the duration of the absence. Individual class teachers hold the authority to decide on requests for leaves of up to two consecutive days, whereas decisions regarding any absence extending beyond two days rest exclusively with the headmaster. The ministry emphasized that taking leave to facilitate early vacation departures or extended holiday trips is prohibited, as students are required to use designated school vacation periods for leisure travel.

Recognized grounds for temporary student leave

Saxon regulations explicitly outline the specific legal grounds under which a temporary exemption from school attendance may be granted. Schools recognize participation in religious events and celebrations organized by church bodies or other recognized religious and philosophical communities. Exceptional leave is also permitted for urgent personal or family matters, including weddings or a death in the immediate family. Educational exemptions apply to international student exchanges that receive formal approval from the upper school supervisory authority, as well as scientific, vocational, or artistic competitions sanctioned by the supreme school supervisory authority. Furthermore, students may be excused for active participation in athletic competitions or training center courses endorsed by a sports federation of the state sports association, and for medical cures or convalescent stays arranged or endorsed by the public health office or a medical officer from a health insurance fund.