Longer holidays in some countries, but still better results in research

In several European countries, longer school holidays have been proposed as a response to the heatwave, yet some nations with extended breaks still achieve better results in international assessments such as PISA. In Slovenia, despite the unusually hot summer, there have been no calls for extending school vacations. The Association of Parents of the World of Elderly People in Slovenia raised concerns about where to place children if school breaks were to be prolonged, highlighting the challenges faced by families. The extreme heat this year has sparked discussions in multiple European countries about whether to extend school breaks, shorten lessons during hot months, or move exam periods. In Slovenia, the intense summer coincided with final exams and oral matriculation tests, raising questions about the impact of long breaks on learning continuity. While parents might easily agree that children should still have holidays, the reality of educational loss during these periods remains a pressing concern. Across Europe, different approaches to school calendars have led to varied outcomes. According to data from Eurydice, Latvia had the longest school breaks in the academic year 2025/2026, totaling 120 days, accounting for weekends, and 92 days during the summer. Estonia, which performed exceptionally well in the PISA 2022 assessment across all subjects, had just two fewer days than Latvia. Estonian students spent 83 of their total 118 school days at home during the summer. By contrast, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany offer significantly shorter school breaks, ranging from 77 to 82 days annually, with summer breaks lasting only 42 to 44 days. Slovenia falls into the middle ground, offering 100 school vacation days in the current academic year, with 68 of them occurring during the summer. One of the key concerns surrounding extended school breaks is the potential for knowledge loss. Professor Damijan Štefanc, an expert in didactics and curriculum theory at the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Philosophy, emphasizes that while retaining information in memory is important, the broader developmental aspects must not be overlooked. He explains that forming character and shaping young people in a wider educational sense is equally crucial. Long-term success depends not only on academic achievement but also on how individuals are shaped through education, influencing their interests and values throughout life. The debate over school calendar adjustments reflects broader educational policy considerations. Some countries prioritize student well-being and family time by extending breaks, even if it means sacrificing some instructional time. Others maintain shorter schedules, believing that consistent attendance and structured learning environments lead to better academic performance. The balance between these perspectives continues to shape national policies, especially as climate change brings increasingly frequent heatwaves that challenge traditional schooling models. As educators and policymakers navigate these complex decisions, the focus remains on ensuring that students receive a comprehensive education that supports both academic growth and personal development. The experiences of countries like Estonia and Latvia suggest that extended breaks can coexist with high academic standards, provided they are complemented by effective teaching strategies and supportive learning environments. Meanwhile, nations with shorter school years must find ways to mitigate the risks of knowledge loss and ensure continuous progress. The ongoing discussion highlights the need for tailored solutions that address local conditions while aligning with global educational benchmarks.