Les vacances de Pâques could be removed if the government adopts this new measure

IN SHORT Proposal for a new specialized commission on the school calendar. Change in school rhythm: 7/2 rhythm with 7 weeks of classes and 2 weeks of breaks. End of division into three zones, moving to two zones for vacations. The Easter holidays could be moved to the month of May. No immediate change; reform possible only after 2027. Concerns about the impact of eliminating the Easter holidays on families.

The French government is seriously considering a reform of the school calendar, which could lead to the elimination of the Easter holidays. A specialized commission, made up of unions, parent associations, and elected officials, recently presented proposals aimed at reshaping the school rhythm. This change could not only disrupt established traditions but also affect the well-being of students. This analysis examines the implications of such a modification.

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Bold proposals from the specialized commission #

As part of its reflection, the special commission of the Higher Council for Education has organized eleven meetings since the spring of 2023 to thoroughly examine the current school calendar. Their conclusions were submitted to the Ministry of National Education last summer and highlight significant concerns regarding the learning pace of students. Experts have found that the current model contains numerous imbalances that could affect the quality of education.

The 7/2 rhythm concept

To address these disparities, the commission members propose a new school rhythm system called “7/2 rhythm.” This model consists of alternating seven weeks of classes with two weeks of breaks, extending from September to June. In some regions, teaching periods could even extend to eight weeks, in order to ensure optimal learning. This change could also lead to a reorganization of the school map.

End of divisions into three zones #

The implementation of this new system would lead to the end of the division of France into three academic zones (A, B, and C), established since 1991. Currently, this division allows for the scattering of winter and spring vacations to avoid overcrowding in ski resorts and infrastructures. With this change, there would only be two zones, and the vacation periods would not overlap. This means that one zone would end its vacations while the other would begin theirs, making the calendar more uniform.

The fate of the Easter holidays

In this context of calendar restructuring, the Easter holidays could be moved to May in order to reduce the duration of classes before the summer holidays. This rearrangement should not significantly affect other vacation periods, such as the summer holidays, which should remain fixed at eight weeks and considered essential. However, the Ministry of National Education has clarified that this reform is currently set aside, as the school calendar is already established until the 2025-2026 school year.

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Reactions and concerns #

Although this reform project takes into account the well-being of students, it also raises concerns about its implications for family and social life. The elimination or relocation of the Easter holidays could indeed complicate family gatherings during this period, marked by deeply rooted traditions. Moreover, many questions remain regarding the public’s and decision-makers’ responses to this proposal, which disrupts the long-standing habits of the French educational system.