The debate over the length of school holidays is an ongoing one, with some arguing that longer vacations are beneficial to student learning while others believe they can create problems. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of extended breaks from class and what it may mean for student education.
Pro: Reduced Stress and Fatigue Among Students.
Extended school holidays may reduce the stress and fatigue that students feel during their normal course of studies. Since vacation time is often spent playing, exploring, socialising and engaging in other activities that are not connected to their schoolwork, they can come back with a renewed sense of motivation and enthusiasm for learning. This in turn can lead to improved academic performance.
Con: Longer Holidays May Lead to a Learning Gap.
While taking longer school holidays may provide students with a break from their academic studies and the chance to experience new adventures, it is important to remember that too much time away from the classroom can lead to a diminished knowledge base. This gap can cause problems when returning to school and making up for lost time as they are left behind on material they have not practiced since the last school semester.
A research from the University of Glasgow shows that summer holidays can be a difficult period for low income families because the children from lower income families prevented them from participating in enriching activities. Longer holiday might mean extended periods of inactivity.
Pro: Increased Opportunity for Experiential Learning Outside the Classroom.
Longer vacations provide an opportunity for students to gain learning experiences outside of the classroom that can be beneficial to their academic journey. For instance, they can visit historical sites, participate in outdoor activities, attend cultural events and more – all of which are invaluable opportunities to learn hands-on about the world around them. These experiences can stay with them long after the holiday is over and help to round out their understanding of different topics they are taught in school.
Con: More Difficulties With Teacher Planning and Preparation Time.
While extended holidays provide valuable learning opportunities for students, they come with some drawbacks. The extra time away from school adds additional strain to teachers since they have a limited amount of preparation and planning time during the course of their workday. This can be challenging if teachers are expected to make up for the lost time or appear in multiple classrooms throughout the day. It can also make it difficult to plan meaningful activities that will properly engage and challenge each student with their current coursework.
Pro: Additional Opportunities for Family Bonding and Travel Experiences
Having extra days away from the classroom can be a great opportunity for families to reconnect and create special memories together. Longer school holidays offer ample time for parents and students to explore outside activities that they may not have considered before. For example, students may have the chance to visit a foreign country or experience volunteer work in their local community. These experiences often result in invaluable lessons that are not taught in the classroom and provide an opportunity for students to grow both academically and as individuals.
Pro: Boosting the Local Tourism Industry
According to a study done by the Tourism Council WA, School holidays drive peak tourism seasons across Western Australia and generated $299 million from visitor expenditure and created 2,180 local jobs. Longer school holidays could provide a boost to the tourism industry, benefiting local economies.
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