Are the school holidays too long?
Of course everyone needs a break: teachers, pupils, parents, all of us. And it’s lovely to press pause and spend time with the family, but is six weeks too long?
Lengthy school holidays are an antiquated relic of the Victorian era – a necessity for the agricultural economy of the nineteenth century when schools needed long summer holidays so children could toil in the fields. So does this still apply now?
Nowadays, most families have two working parents, so childcare has become a huge issue during the summer holidays. Grandparents are regularly relied upon to mind the little ones during the holidays.
Most children seem to thrive on routine and enjoy the stimulus of education. Does a lengthy break in learning cause a negative impact on a child’s growth or is it more beneficial to have time out ?
What are your views? Do you mind your grandchildren during the school holidays? Is the summer break too long or just about right in your opinion? Would you rather see the holiday breaks more balanced throughout the year?
Are the school holidays too long?
305 people have already voted, what's your opinion? Yes - they are too long No - children need a long breakWhat are your views?
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It's not so much the children who need the break, but the poor old teachers! I don't speak as a teacher either, as it's not a profession I could ever undertake, no matter how great the reward!
Like the junior doctors, teachers are a much undervalued, hard working profession, so yes, they do deserve their holidays & with pay.
Friends of mine who worked as teachers, put in so much extra work, such as lesson preparation, marking, out of hours activities, plus the constant changes to the curriculum for which they were not paid. People critical of the profession are probably unaware of the constant pressure teachers are under.
We take some of the Grandchildren away on the last week of the summer holidays when the prices are cheaper and the facilities are still available and not so crowded!
Every year, I hear this whinge. You can't have it both ways, long break or dearer holidays! There's plenty to do with the kids if you look, and a lot of it is free!
And you always hear of children being involved in bad accidents, in the school holidays.
and Britain is falling behind in Education . Time to have a radical change if we want to not only improve childrens' education , but their chance of getting a job when they leave.
Has there ever been a Survey on where Britain stands in School
Education around the World.?
children are lagging behind Europe in Education and I read even India has overtaken us.
I am sure most Mothers would welcome a change and the Standard of Education in the U.K. has fallen, Michael Gove was soon moved from Education when he tried to bring about changes.
Many children themselves find this long break boring and are eager to get back into a routine. It's becoming increasingly more expensive to entertain kids during holidays as many parents think the only way is to take them to theme parks and shopping centres etc. Gone are the days when the traffic was less during the holidays, as parents ferry their kids all over the place. Shopping is a nightmare as kids are allowed, even encouraged, to run wild in shops and shopping centres.
I'm waiting for the day when the Minister for Education looks at this in a sensible way and changes it.....
I always thought holidays were about recharging the batteries and having a rest!