An official responsible for education has rejected calls for a four-day school week, citing concerns that it could diminish opportunities for school activities and homework time. Children’s minister Josh MacAlister acknowledged the attractiveness of the idea but emphasized that such a change would negatively impact student learning and burden families unnecessarily. While acknowledging the need for more flexible teaching practices, he highlighted ongoing efforts in this regard.
The government was compelled to respond to a petition signed by over 125,000 individuals advocating for a shorter school week. However, Mr. MacAlister, speaking to Members of Parliament, affirmed that there were no intentions to alter the current school week structure. He stressed the importance of schools having sufficient time to deliver the curriculum effectively, while also providing breaks and extracurricular opportunities for students.
Furthermore, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that all state-funded mainstream schools adhere to a minimum school week duration of 32.5 hours. He emphasized that meeting this standard was crucial for promoting fairness and maintaining high educational standards for all students.
Regarding teacher workloads, Mr. MacAlister pointed out that recent guidance encourages schools to consider extending their hours beyond the minimum requirement to better support student development and school priorities. He acknowledged the challenges posed by teacher workloads, noting positive trends in reduced working hours and progress in enhancing teaching as a sustainable career choice.
During a parliamentary debate, MPs raised various concerns related to a potential shift to a four-day school week, including issues around childcare, mental health implications, and the impact on teacher-student interaction. The discussion also touched on the potential drawbacks of a longer school day, such as increased fatigue, reduced time for homework, and limited face-to-face interactions with teachers.