Education chiefs are drawing up get-tough rules to crack down on children who bunk off school to go on holiday.
Parents who take their kids out of the classroom face on-the-spot fines when the new rules are brought in next month.
They will get one warning followed by a £50 penalty notice if they do it again.
Essex County Council is currently hammering out the final details of the scheme.
Local education authorities have been told to take a zero tolerance approach by the Government.
A council spokesman said: "It is a common misunderstanding among parents that they are entitled to take pupils out of school for up to ten days a year.
"In some parts of the country this seems to have developed as a custom but is not an entitlement and Essex LEA believes children should be in school."
Published Thursday August 5, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article