Reform the school calendar

The secondary school day and calendar follows a formula that evolved in the very early days of Scottish schooling. In 1690 most children lived in rural areas and were required to work before and after school and full time during planting, harvesting and of course, for extensive summer weeks when animals were taken to the high shielings. This no longer applies and causes many problems for parents, including the requirement for additional childcare, which is problematic during this crisis. Reduce the amount of breaks to 9 weeks throughout the year, extend the school day to a 7 hour day and reduce the week to 4 days. This system would lend itself to the proposed alternating of pupils attending, allow 3 days per week for cleaning and be more in line with parental work patterns.

Why the contribution is important

It is important that we get our secondary school pupils back into the classrooms, particularly those starting exam curriculums in June.

by EleanorM on May 10, 2020 at 08:18AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 1.8
Based on: 5 votes

Comments

  • Posted by SST May 10, 2020 at 10:02

    Mental health and well-being are more important now that ever. Children need to be ready to learn. They will need to be eased into whatever situation is to come not thrust in front of a text book with a timer to see how fast they can go to catch up !

  • Posted by Hewitsongg May 10, 2020 at 11:00

    Generally supportive of the need for reform, if not of the specifics. I'm guessing that a great deal will have been learned over the past seven weeks about the benefits and challenges associated with more online, flexible and independent learning. We need to capitalise on these and use the learning to provide momentum for longer term change and improvement
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