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Educational trip instead of school desk: How to successfully take a break with your children!
Are you dreaming of a world trip with your children that is not only fun but also educational? In Germany, such an educational trip presents some challenges, but it is certainly feasible. Find out now how to obtain approval and make the most of the trip. Do you need support with the planning? Contact us for personalized advice.
The topic, briefly and concisely
An educational trip can be a valuable addition to traditional school lessons, as it enables practical learning and intercultural experiences.
The leave of absence from school is a possible option, but approval depends on the school. Alternatives such as travelschooling require structured planning and documentation of learning progress.
Educational leave for parents and Erasmus+ for schools offer additional opportunities to combine further education and international experiences and improve academic performance by up to 0.5 grade points.
Are you planning an unforgettable educational trip with your children? Learn how to apply for school exemption, utilize alternative learning methods, and overcome legal hurdles. Get informed now!
An educational trip can be an exciting alternative to traditional school lessons. But how can such a trip be reconciled with the compulsory schooling applicable in Germany? We show you how to apply for a leave of absence from school, what alternatives are available, and which legal aspects you should consider, so that your educational trip with the family becomes a complete success.
Many parents dream of exploring the world with their children and broadening their horizons in the process. An educational trip offers the opportunity to combine learning and travel. However, in Germany, there is a basic compulsory schooling requirement, which can complicate the implementation of such plans. We at GoTuro want to help you realise this dream and show you the ways to temporarily set aside the compulsory schooling and experience an unforgettable educational trip.
Are you planning an unforgettable trip with your children? We support you in taking the necessary steps and understanding the legal framework. Find out how to apply for a school exemption, use alternative learning methods, and overcome legal hurdles.
Leave of absence from school: How to apply for the time off
School leave is a potential way to exempt your child from classes for an educational trip. However, there are several important points to consider. Firstly, it's crucial to understand that the decision regarding leave lies at the discretion of the school management. The regulations can vary depending on the federal state. In Hesse, for example, the head teacher decides about school leave. It's advisable to first have a conversation with the class teacher before approaching the school management.
A written application for school leave must be submitted in good time through the class teacher to the head teacher. In the application, you should provide a detailed explanation of why the educational trip offers a clear benefit for your child's educational development. Acceptable reasons for leave can include participation in competitions, religious occasions, or family events such as weddings or funerals. Educational trips with a direct connection to the curriculum may also be approved.
There are also reasons that generally lead to an application being rejected. These include extending holidays, using cheaper travel times outside of holidays, or a lack or insufficient justification of the educational nature of the trip. The class teacher's assessment also plays an important role. If the teacher positively evaluates the student's academic performance and responsibility, the chances of approval increase. Further information on leave and exemption from classes can be found on the page of the Ministry of School and Education NRW.
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), head teachers can grant students leave from school for important reasons for up to one school year (§ 43 paragraph 4 sentence 1 School Act NRW). Applications must be submitted in writing and in good time through the class teacher to the school. Leave immediately before or after the holidays is critically examined to prevent extending holidays. Further details can be found on the page of the Ministry of Education NRW.
Alternatives to Leave of Absence: Travelschooling and Deregistration
If taking a leave of absence from school is not possible, there are alternative ways to embark on a longer trip with your children. One option is deregistering from Germany. This suspends the compulsory schooling, but it also impacts child benefits and tax obligations. Therefore, this option should be carefully considered.
Another possibility is travelschooling, or learning on the go. There are various ways to design this. You can follow the regular curriculum, offer self-directed learning, or choose a combination of both. It is important that you document your child’s learning progress. Typically, upon return, an age-appropriate placement is made in the German school system without mandatory tests.
In travelschooling, it is crucial to create a structure that helps the child manage the learning material. This can be achieved through fixed learning times, using online resources, or collaborating with tutors. Visiting museums, historical sites, and cultural events can also be a valuable supplement to traditional learning. You can find more tips and experiences on the topic of traveling the world with school-age children at Strandfamilie.de.
Legal Consequences: What Are the Risks of Unexcused Absence?
It is important to emphasise that there is no legal entitlement to leave from compulsory schooling for an educational trip. The decision is at the school's discretion. If your application is rejected, you must accept it or consider changing schools.
Unexcused absence can have serious consequences. Possible penalties include warnings, entries on your report card, fines (up to 1300 euros), or in extreme cases, even imprisonment. It is therefore advisable to exhaust all possibilities to secure school leave or find alternative solutions.
If you still decide to travel without approval, you risk not only legal consequences but also your relationship with the school. It is therefore advisable to always seek dialogue and find an amicable solution.
Educational leave for parents: Further training while travelling
Another interesting option is educational leave for parents. Educational leave is a legal entitlement to paid special leave days (5-10 days per year) for further education. This entitlement applies to employees, trainees, and persons in similar employment.
The range of topics is diverse, spanning from health and stress management to language courses, as well as personal and professional development. Some providers even offer support in applying for it. Educational leave does not necessarily have to take place in Germany, but can also be completed abroad. This gives you the opportunity to combine your own further education with your children's educational trip.
In Lower Saxony, the Agency for Adult and Continuing Education (AEWB) is responsible for the recognition of educational leave. At Bildungsurlauber.de, you can find further information and offers on the topic of educational leave. The Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony also provides information on educational leave.
Erasmus+: Take advantage of international exchange programs for schools
Schools also have the opportunity to participate in international exchange programmes like Erasmus+. Erasmus+ promotes the exchange and collaboration of schools in Europe with a focus on inclusion, digital education, sustainability, and democratic education.
The programme provides substantial financial resources for mobility, training, and student exchanges. eTwinning is a digital platform for online partnerships. The Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) acts as the national agency for Erasmus+ and the coordination office for eTwinning.
By participating in Erasmus+, schools can offer their students the chance to discover other countries and cultures and develop intercultural skills. This can be a valuable addition to an individual educational journey. More information about Erasmus+ can be found on the Erasmusplus.schule page.
Planning an Educational Trip Successfully: These Tips Help
A successful educational journey requires careful planning and preparation. Start planning early and have discussions with the school. Prepare a detailed justification of the educational nature of the trip.
Document the learning activities and progress during the trip. Offer to present the results to the school. Be flexible and adjust your plans if necessary. Consider the individual needs and abilities of your child.
It is advisable to create a precise plan before the trip, outlining the learning objectives to be achieved and how they can be assessed. During the trip, regularly document the learning progress and discuss it with your child. After the trip, you can present the results to the school and demonstrate that the educational journey has made a valuable contribution to your child's school development.
Educational Trip as an Opportunity: Promoting Holistic Learning
An educational trip can be a valuable addition to traditional school lessons. It promotes personal development, intercultural understanding, and independence. Open and constructive collaboration with the school is crucial for success.
Take advantage of the opportunities available, and turn the educational trip into an unforgettable learning experience. An educational trip is more than just a holiday. It is an investment in your child's future.
We at GoTuro want to support you in making this investment as effective as possible. With our diverse offerings in the fields of Adventure, Cultural, and Leisure Travel, we offer you the chance to create unique and unforgettable travel experiences that are both educational and entertaining.
Plan an educational trip: Discover the world now with GoTuro!
More useful links
The Ministerium für Schule und Bildung NRW provides comprehensive information about exemption from classes in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Schulministerium NRW explains the conditions under which an exemption from classes directly before or after holidays is possible.
The Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur Niedersachsen offers information on educational leave in Lower Saxony.
FAQ
What exactly is meant by an educational trip in the context of compulsory schooling?
An educational trip is a journey aimed at broadening the horizons of children and young people and deepening their knowledge through practical experiences. It can, under certain circumstances, be agreed upon with a leave of absence from school, with the decision at the discretion of the school management.
How do I apply for a leave of absence for an educational trip?
An application for leave of absence must be submitted in writing and in good time via the class teacher to the headteacher. In the application, you should provide a detailed justification of why the educational trip offers a clear benefit for your child's educational development. It is important to convincingly present the educational nature of the trip.
What alternatives are there if a leave of absence is not approved?
If a leave of absence is not possible, there are alternative ways, such as travelschooling (learning on the go) or deregistering from Germany, which, however, have implications on child benefits and tax obligations. Travelschooling requires good planning and documentation of learning progress.
What are the legal consequences of unexcused absence?
Unexcused absence can have serious consequences, such as warnings, entries in the report card, fines (up to 1300 euros) or, in extreme cases, even imprisonment. Therefore, it is advisable to explore all possibilities to achieve a leave of absence or find alternative solutions.
What is educational leave and how can parents benefit from it?
Educational leave is a legal entitlement to paid leave days (5-10 days per year) for further education. Parents can use this to combine their own further education with their children's educational trip. The topics are diverse and do not necessarily have to be work-related.
What role do international exchange programmes like Erasmus+ play?
Erasmus+ promotes the exchange and collaboration of schools in Europe with a focus on inclusion, digital education, sustainability, and democratic education. Schools can offer their students the opportunity to get to know other countries and cultures and acquire intercultural skills. This can be a valuable addition to an individual educational trip.
How can an educational trip be successfully planned?
A successful educational trip requires careful planning and preparation. Start planning early and engage in discussions with the school. Prepare a detailed justification for the educational nature of the trip and document the learning activities during the trip. Flexibility and considering the individual needs of the child are crucial.
What are the benefits of an educational trip for my child's personal development?
An educational trip promotes personal development, intercultural understanding, and independence. It allows children to gain new perspectives, step out of their comfort zone, and improve their problem-solving skills. It is an investment in your child's future.
