Would be 16 weeks long

Italy discusses school vacations until October

Bathers in Italy (archive image)

(Bild: AP)

Italy's schoolchildren already have twelve to 13 weeks of summer vacation. This puts them well ahead of the rest of Europe. Nevertheless, there is now a debate as to whether the summer vacation should be extended by a further three weeks until the beginning of October.

The reasons given include the high temperatures in the country and an extension of the tourist season. "In these sweltering conditions, it is absurd to start lessons in mid-September. We need common sense and foresight: the production system also needs to change in the face of climate change," said Marcello Pacifico, President of the teachers' union Anief.

Another teachers' association even asked paediatricians for an expert opinion to determine whether the start of the 2024/25 school year should be postponed in view of the high temperatures.

In these sweltering conditions, it is absurd to start lessons in mid-September. We need common sense and foresight.

Lehrergewerkschaft Anief

"High costs for childcare"
 Parents' associations again point out that closing schools for three months would mean high costs for childcare. These would be passed on entirely to the parents. "No parent has three months of vacation. The difficulties of balancing work and family life are simply too great for those who have children," it said.

60,000 parents have already signed against longer summer vacations. The petition also argues that long vacations would increase inequalities. It would also lead to a loss of "cognitive and relational skills" in children and young people.