Balance of Leave: Impacts on Education, Health and Tourism in France

IN BRIEF

School holidays: Subject of political debate, particularly regarding the duration of summer holidays.
Teachers’ reactions: Feelings of anger towards Emmanuel Macron’s statements and perception of a diversion from the real educational issues.
FCPE: Emphasis on the need for more resources for education rather than changes to school holidays.
Child psychiatrists: Call for a reduction in the duration of holidays to support children’s development, highlighting exacerbated inequalities.
Tourism stakeholders: Alarmed by the idea of reducing school holidays, fearing a concentration of tourist flows and a price increase.
Consensus among tourism stakeholders: Proposal to stagger rather than shorten the holidays.

Published on 02/04/2025

The issue of school holidays in France, particularly the duration of holidays, is sparking intense debates among educational sector stakeholders, health professionals, and tourism actors. Following a recent statement by Emmanuel Macron, this topic has been revived, highlighting the opinions of various concerned stakeholders and the implications of a possible reduction in summer holidays.

The stakes according to educators #

Educators share a major concern regarding the impact of school holidays on the educational system. Aurélie Sanchez, representative of the National Union of French Institutes (SNUipp), laments that this discussion serves as a diversion from the real issues that teachers face. She highlights the lack of resources, the student-to-teacher ratio which is higher than the European average, and the decreasing attractiveness of the teaching profession.

The sustainability of summer holidays is also a central question. Teachers often point out that studies show that an extended break is crucial for children’s development. However, they also question the effectiveness of learning when students are away from classes for long periods.

A health perspective #

From a health standpoint, professionals like Nadège Bourvis, child psychiatrist, emphasize that reducing the duration of holidays could have a positive effect on children’s development. Nonetheless, she is also concerned about the reality: if this reform does not aim to improve the educational framework and focus on children’s well-being, it would be counterproductive. Indeed, shorter breaks, without special attention to learning modalities, could exacerbate inequalities.

She also notes that the return after long holidays is often difficult for adolescents, leading to issues such as anxiety. The most vulnerable children, who do not have the chance to engage in enriching activities during the summer, are particularly affected by this situation.

Worried tourism stakeholders #

Tourism professionals, such as François de Canson, have expressed their concerns about the idea of reducing the duration of school holidays. They fear that this will lead to a concentration of tourist flows over a shorter period, which could harm the sector’s economy. According to him, shortening the duration of holidays would create logistical challenges and likely lead to price increases, which is unthinkable in an already struggling sector.

The proposal to stagger the holidays rather than shorten them has gained consensus among tourism experts. A more balanced distribution of holidays throughout the year would be a more viable solution, both for the proper functioning of educational institutions and for families’ needs.

Conclusion: a debate in suspense #

The multitude of interventions and perspectives surrounding the issue of school holidays demonstrates how this new debate could have significant consequences for various sectors. Beyond the simple question of the duration of holidays, it involves reform, equal access to education, and the impact on the local economy. The reflection on the duration of holidays and its implications continues to fuel discussions, and each stakeholder involved hopes that the decisions made will genuinely address the raised issues.