Back
Coronavirus: Wales' early school summer holiday plan 'non-starter'
May 30, 2020
An idea to bring forward school summer holidays was a "non-starter", a teaching union said.
The option was mooted by the Welsh Government as it considered how to re-open schools.
David Evans, of the National Education Union (NEU), said it would have meant a 20-week autumn term.
A government source said it was "a sensible and workable option" but "recognised and respected" unions were not in favour.
The proposal would have seen the six-week summer holiday begin near the end of June, with the new school year beginning early August.
BBC Wales has been told the rationale included:
Good weather lets schools maximise use of outdoor space The virus is thought less transmittable in sunlight and outdoors August schooling could give pupils more time in school before a potential second peak in autumn or winter.
Plaid Cymru said the idea should be "explored further."
The Brexit Party said "union diktat" was stopping pupils returning to school.
Coronavirus: Early school summer holiday plan 'abandoned' Coronavirus: School return plan 'like a jigsaw puzzle' The coronavirus 'class divide': Parents shamed for back-to-school choices
On BBC Radio Wales, NEU Cymru secretary, David Evans, said: "It would mean there would be a 20-week term in the autumn with just a one-week break in the middle for the teachers."
8Shares
0Comments
0Favorites
2Likes
No content at this moment.