With 16 weeks of vacation per year, France is one of the European champions of school rest. But does that mean that French students work less than others? Not so sure. Behind the figures, a more nuanced reality is emerging, between organization of school time, accumulated fatigue and social inequalities.
Do French students have too much vacation?
It is a well -known chorus: each time the school holidays approach, some are surprised (or indignant) from the duration of children’s holidays in France. And for good reason, with 16 weeks outside the classrooms, French students benefit from one of the longest holiday periods in Europe, just behind Portugal. But this abundance is to be put into perspective. Unlike other countries such as Spain or Italy, where summer concentrates the majority of leave, France spreads its own throughout the year: winter, spring, summer and even fall holidays, every six to seven weeks.
This division is not trivial: it was thought of to better respect the biological rhythms of children. Studies show that after six weeks, school fatigue is accumulating, especially among the youngest.
Top 10 European countries with the most school holidays:
- Portugal – 16 to 17 weeks
- France – 16 weeks
- Italy – 15 weeks (including 12 in summer)
- Bulgaria – 15 to 16 weeks
- Spain – 14 to 15 weeks (including 10 to 11 weeks in summer)
- Greece – 14 weeks
- Finland – 13 weeks
- Germany – 13 weeks
- Sweden – 12 to 13 weeks
- United Kingdom-12 to 13 weeks
A well -filled schedule, despite the cuts
Having more vacation does not mean working less. Over a school year, French students actually spend more time in class than many of their European neighbors. In primary, they have an average of 864 hours of lessons, compared to 790 to 800 hours on average in Europe, according to Vie-publique.fr. In comparison, a Finnish student – in a country often cited as an example – is only 608 hours a year.
The difference is therefore played on density: in France, the days are long (5:30 am to 6 hours of lessons), concentrated on approximately 162 days per year, against 180 to 200 days elsewhere. Result: less school in the year, but well busy weeks. Difficult, under these conditions, to argue that French children do not work enough …
Should we really shorten the holidays?
Faced with children’s fatigue and childcare difficulties for parents, the temptation is great to review the calendar. But is this the right solution? Many specialists rather suggest rethinking the overall pace, without necessarily sacrificing the holidays.
This could go through lightened days, more breaks, and a valuation of complementary activities: sport, art, cooperation, debates … A model that has proven itself in the Nordic countries, where the school leaves more room for well-being and autonomy, without harming learning.
Finally, the debate may not have to focus on the quantity of vacation, but on the quality of the time spent in school.