In many parts of the world, some schools fine parents when their children are late. In my view, this is essentially a way for schools to raise extra money. There are many reasons a child might be late—traffic jams, for instance—and in such cases parents need support, not punishment. Fining families who may already be struggling financially only makes matters worse. This policy is unfair to low‑income families, who are hit hardest by fines, while wealthy families may not be deterred at all. Some might even treat the fine as a fee for a slower morning, instead of recognizing that punctuality is a basic responsibility. Even worse, it sends the wrong message to children: that as long as you can pay, you can do whatever you like. Some argue that without penalties, lateness will continue. In reality, what works better is shared responsibility between parents and schools, rather than punishment. In conclusion, schools should not fine parents when children are late. Instead, they should use more constructive measures—such as reminders and communication, flexible drop‑off arrangements, individualized support plans, or educational consequences like time‑management workshops. These approaches are fairer and more effective in promoting punctuality.
