asked the Minister for Education if he will take steps to start the summer holidays in national schools at the beginning of June in each year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Summer Holidays.
36.
Mr. O'Malley
Subject to the Rules for National Schools, the fixing of school vacation periods is a matter for the school managers. The Rules prescribe that the summer vacation shall commence not later than the third Monday in July and shall extend for a period of not more than eight weeks. As the relevant rule has the flexibility to meet the needs of urban and rural areas in the matter of fixing vacation periods, I see no necessity to have it altered.
Why are the school holidays, particularly in the primary schools, fixed for the end of June or the first week in July? The best weather and the longest days occur in June.
The probable reason for not fixing them in June is that the term to the following Christmas would be very long.
The Minister would not agree that the school holidays are fixed to suit the teachers and not the children?
I would not agree.
Do the managers agree, independent of one another, what date they will fix them for?
It is decided on the basis of what is in the best interest of each school.
Is the Minister aware that parents with children attending both secondary and primary schools find it very difficult to arrange holidays because those attending the primary school get their holidays a month later than those attending the secondary school.
The secondary school holidays are longer than those of the primary school.
The Minister has stated that earlier holidays would mean prolonging the summer term. What about the Easter term?
We are discussing summer holidays.
Which must be related to the school term.
The Deputy is missing the Minister's point. The Minister says the Christmas term would be prolonged.
There is a term break for the secondary schools. The same could be arranged for the primary schools.
Is the Minister aware of the inconvenience caused to parents having children attending secondary and primary schools because they get their holidays at different times?
No matter how the holidays are fixed, there is bound to be some discrepancy.