Children in Wales may be saying goodbye to the traditional six week summer break. The Welsh government have proposed to shorten summer holidays by 2 weeks, adding these weeks to the October break.
For those from unstable homes the holidays are a prison sentence where they are stuck in an unsafe or unloving home. Working families must navigate the nightmare of trying to find suitable childcare. The pressure on parents to provide daily entertainment is stressful and can lead to feelings of guilt for those who struggle financially.
Many children find comfort and stability in the school routine, especially when they lack this stability in the home. Others find it overwhelming to readjust in September after such a long period of disruption which can disadvantage their learning. A secondary school teacher told me that she worried that so much time out of education led to vulnerable children being involved in crime.
However others argue that the extended holidays allow for other types of learning to take place such as outdoor play and cultural experiences. I spoke to a student who needs the time off to visit family in the Philippines. “The long flight and expensive tickets just aren’t justifiable for only two or three weeks visit”. For long distance families, the long break provides priceless time together.
A parent told me of their concern that condensing family’s holidays abroad would lead to even higher prices for holidays during the August peak. However it could be beneficial for those wanting to get the last out of the summer by escaping to a sunny country in October.
No matter how you feel about these proposed changes, it seems they are at an early stage in Wales and no such plans have been proposed in England. So for now, the six weeks of summer are here to stay
