A four-day school week: A burden for parents?

However, behind this lies a host of challenges related to logistics, finance, and educational equity.

In France, some schools are experimenting with a four-day school week, where students have Fridays off to spend more time with their families. In Belgium, students have Wednesdays and weekends off. In the UK, while the model is still under consideration, many parents, teachers, and school administrators support it.

The main motivation behind this proposal is to improve the mental well-being of teachers and students, especially in the context of the UK education system facing a staffing crisis, increasing work pressure, and rising turnover rates.

A recent article in The Guardian, citing the Four-Day Workweek Foundation, suggests that piloting this model could help improve teacher recruitment while creating a healthier learning environment.

Many parents expressed support, believing that reducing the school week by one day could help students recover energy, especially those with special needs. Jo Hopkins, a London resident and mother of 11-year-old twins with autism, said: “Five consecutive school days are sensory overload for my children. A four-day school week could facilitate better integration.”

Teachers have expressed similar views. Jen Carlyle, headteacher of a primary school in Suffolk with nearly 30 years of experience, affirmed: “This model can help teachers be more proactive and resilient. A day off from teaching but still going to work to prepare lessons will give teachers more time to plan, grade assignments, and improve their professional skills. Reducing a school day does not disrupt students’ learning at all.”

From a professional perspective, many British teachers say that the current workload is exceeding their capacity. Many teachers are working more than 50 hours a week, sacrificing weekends and personal time just to meet teaching demands.

Despite strong support, many remain concerned about its feasibility. The most obvious short-term problem is finding childcare on holidays. Not every family can arrange the time or afford childcare services.

Similar concerns have been raised by families with children with disabilities. Paola Adeitan, mother of three in Wiltshire, argues that children requiring special needs can be severely impacted because they rely heavily on a stable schedule and consistent care.

Besides the childcare issue, the curriculum will undoubtedly face significant pressure. With students only attending school for four days, the amount of material will be compressed, increasing the risk of overload. Giving teachers an extra day to prepare means needing to deploy additional staff to supervise students, leading to increased budget requirements for hiring external personnel.

Compared to many industries that have shifted to flexible models after the pandemic, education is one of the slowest to change. The four-day school week may mark a turning point in British education. However, it's not just about changing timetables; it's about restructuring the system and how society defines the sustainability of the teaching profession in the future.

Lisa, a primary school teacher in Bristol, England, shared: “The pressure from special education needs and the assessment requirements of the Department of Education leaves many teachers feeling exhausted. While a four-day work week doesn’t solve everything, it can help relieve stress and keep many teachers committed to their profession.”

According to The Guardian

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/tuan-hoc-4-ngay-ganh-nang-cho-phu-huynh-post760064.html