Debate for summer vacation: too long or too little care?

Debate for summer vacation: too long or too little care?

In Germany, there is a hot discussion about the summer vacation again. While parents' associations and educational experts are alarming with serious concerns, the recovery time for many also remains a bustle specter. The duration of the six -week summer break is particularly the focus of the debate, which apparently flared up every year. NDR reports that the deputy chair of the Federal Parental Council, Aline Sommer-Noack, massive organizational and financial difficulties for families. Six weeks of vacation can hardly be reconciled with the 30 average vacation days of employees.

parents are increasingly worried about how they can handle the care of their children during the long school -free time. A survey by the Civey Institute shows that 71 % of the parents surveyed with children under the age of 18 find the existing holiday care offers inadequate. ZEIT ONLINE adds that only 25 % of the parents submit a positive assessment for the support offer. Parents are particularly dissatisfied in West Germany, only 19.5 % are satisfied with the situation, while it is 45.5 % in East Germany.

care systems under pressure

The debate shows that many parents have to sacrifice a large part of their annual vacation for the care of their children. Almost half of them use more than 50 % of their vacation, and over a third has even saved more than 75 % of their vacation for childcare. Tagesschau also reports that many single parents are particularly affected and the challenges are increasing significantly. Michaela Engelmeier, the CEO of the Social Association of Germany, speaks for a legal claim to holiday care and for free, located offers.

The chairman of the State Parental Council MV, Tobias Lankow, considers the summer holidays to be too long and advocates a major break to enable students to relax. According to him, the debate about the duration of the holidays should not be in the foreground, but the question of high -quality care. "The real challenge is to look after the children sensibly and pedagogically valuable during the holiday season," emphasizes Lankow.

A look at other countries and suggestions

compared to other European nations, Germany has relatively short holidays. This is not considered expedient by Lankow, as numerous federal states are struggling to establish more flexible holiday regulations. The Federal Government supports the idea of rotation at the holiday dates, which could cause more fair conditions. Nevertheless, the CSU stays with its role and insists on fixed holiday patterns in Bavaria, which is criticized from various sides, such as North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister of Education Dorothee Feller.

The Federal Student Conference under its general secretary Quentin Gärtner: A better cooperation between schools, youth centers and sports clubs should create high -quality holiday offers so that children can benefit from school even in the free time. This cooperation could not only ensure support, but also prevent learning losses and promote social integration.

A changed care system is definitely on the agenda. The parents as well as the student representatives demand modernization and adaptation of the holiday regulations to meet the current challenges. It remains to be hoped that the discussions will not be in the sand and the necessary changes will be implemented promptly. This is the only way we can ensure that the summer vacation is a joy and no risk for everyone involved.