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Public wants to keep status quo

Most people who took part in an internet consultation did not want radical change to school timetabling

MOST people who took part in an internet debate on possible changes to school timetabling want things to stay as they are.

While key topics like shortening the summer holidays (balanced out by lengthening other ones) or axing the four-day week, generated opinions for and against, a majority did not want change.

Five thousand people took part in the internet consultation organised by Education Minister Luc Chatel, of which 49 per cent were parents of pupils, 22 per cent were teachers and 11 worked in education in other capacities.

The length of the summer holidays was the topic that drew the most interest (2,000 comments collected) however only 46 per cent thought it should be reduced. Those in favour said some children forget what they have learned, however arguments against shortening included problems with attending school in hot weather or the fact that the current arrangements fit with business closures in July or August and immigrant families take advantage of the long break to visit relatives abroad.

Only 33 per cent of people taking part wanted to change the four-day primary school week. Those in favour of five days thought the current arrangement compressed the lessons into too short a period (with both overly long days and excessive breaks from work) and did not “respect the children’s natural rhythms”. Others however thought it benefitted them to rest on Wednesdays. Some opponents said the four-day week suited wealthy families able to provide for a range of activities for their children, while in poorer families they often spend their time off in front of the television; five days is therefore better overall, according to this view.

Another topic creating plenty of discussion was homework, with 45 per cent saying children’s personal work should be integrated into the school day at primary school. Many people said there was too much homework, tiring children unnecessarily and that it is also a burden on parents who end up having to help. However a majority felt homework should remain, though some said there should be less handed out. “There should be a reasonable amount, not too much,” said one mother, who complained the amounts given at present “affect family life”.

While the government will continue to consider the timetabling issue this year, another priority will be violence in schools. In March an inquiry will be launched into victims of violence and “a study of harassment among pupils”. The exercise will be repeated every two years. Seventy per cent of heads of the 184 schools identified last year as having the worst problems have now had special training, and the rest are to receive it during the first few months of this year. By the end of the year all trainee teachers will be given new training in class management.

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