Most people who who commented on Welsh Government plans to reshape term dates and holiday lengths had a powerful message for ministers and civil servants: Leave the summer holiday alone. A formal public consultation will be held in the coming academic year looking at options including shorter summer holidays and three terms of more uniform length.
Changes to the school year and school day were announced last November as part of a three-year deal between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru to work together in the Senedd. The Welsh Government was unable to say when changes would be made, but it is unlikely in the next year.
Newly-published research for the Welsh Government shows most people are happy with the current dates and like the longer summer holiday. But the researchers who carried out the survey said people were "open" to change when shown possible alternatives for the school year.
READ MORE: Wales presses ahead with plans to reshape the school year despite most people being happy as it is
Most people who commented on our story said children needed time off in the summer and it would be cruel to force them to take time off in the winter when they would be stuck indoors in the dark and wet. However there were some who said changing holidays would make child care easier for parents. Some readers expressed their frustration with the Welsh Government appearing to press on with the plans, despite around eight in 10 parents, carers, pupils, education staff, and businesses saying the school year now was “appropriate for people’s lives.”
"Does not matter what the people request or ask for this government will do what they like which is in their own interests," Facebook user John Williams wrote in response to the article. Stuart Desborough added: "What I have learnt living in Wales is the government doesn't listen to the voters on topics such as this."
Facebook user Helen Davies similarly questioned the plans to reshape term dates, writing: "If it's not broken then leave well alone, parents have jobs around the structure now but may have to make different arrangements if they change the terms."
Options in the plans include cutting the six week summer holiday to make way for three terms of more uniform length, but the number of holidays overall would not be reduced and the summer would not be cut to as short as two or three weeks, Education Minister Jeremy Miles said.
However, some readers argued in favour of the six week summer holiday, saying that children benefit from being outdoors in the warmer and dryer weather. Becky Hall wrote: "Who wants more time off in the winter? Children benefit more in the summer being outdoors playing sports and enjoying the fresh air. Who wants their children off in the rain stuck indoors and on screens?"
Another Facebook user added: "The children need the summer holidays. School through the winter is long and why would they want to be in school when they should be out enjoying the weather. I think it will affect their mental health. They wait all year for the summer holidays."
One teacher, who had been in the profession for 26 years, also responded to the article on Facebook, saying they were "done in." They continued: "I am beyond tired. Along with so many in my profession I have had enough of being bashed from every angle. Teachers are leaving the profession in their droves. I work non stop and I can't do it anymore. I wish I could explain half of what goes on, but I can't... I no longer have the words or the inclination to bother. Time to find a new profession."
But not everyone is against the plans, with some people arguing that the long summer holidays can be difficult for parents to arrange childcare and others suggesting it could make travelling abroad cheaper. Facebook user Louise Challen, for instance, said she 'like[s] the sound' of the idea.
She wrote: "Tbh [sic] 6/7 weeks for young children is long time off, it’s hard for parents to cover childcare. So shorter terms and evened out holidays seem a much better idea to me." She wasn't alone in her opinion, with others voicing their support for the plans.
"I think it will be beneficial," Seran Wady wrote. "Trying to get childcare for a six weeks period is hard work and to get kids back into school after six weeks off. Spreading it would be better for kids and working full time mums/dads. Seeing the kids struggle to leave parents after six weeks is not nice or being passed from pillar to post for childcare I’m for it, I’m also thinking of kids with disabilities who need the school routine and parents who need the respite. Wider picture and all that."
Tania Pugh added: "I think there are far too many school holidays. Kids need a break of course, but six week and two week breaks are ridiculous and very costly for organising childcare, especially for single mums or parents who don’t have any family to rely on."
Mathew Argyle wrote that the plans were "fantastic ideas." He continued: "Much more benefit for children especially the vulnerable and would help parents child care costs."
While a survey by Beaufort Research showed that the tourism sector said the long summer was vital for business, people have spoken in favour of the possibilities of cheaper holidays. Emma Mitchell, for instance, wrote: "It's not a terrible idea. People complain about the price of holidays during half term, but if half term differs to England then it may mean cheaper holidays. Working families complain about finding childcare during the long summer holidays, this way they won't. People are never happy no matter what the government do."
Gez Atherton similarly wrote: "If it means families can take their kids on holiday for cheaper prices then I’m all for it. So many families miss out due to blatant profiteering during school holidays from airlines and travel companies."
What do you think of the plans to change the school year? let us know in the comments section below.
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