Parents' Union Calls for Education Minister to Reform School Vacation Schedule

The national Parents' Union is urging the next Israeli education minister to implement a significant reform of the school vacation schedule, particularly concerning the extended breaks around the High Holidays. Oren Ozen, chairman of the union, stated in an interview that the recurring crisis of interrupted studies during the Sukkot holiday period needs an immediate and brave solution.

Ozen highlighted the issue of the "bridge days" between Yom Kippur and Sukkot, which create a short, fragmented learning period after the summer break and lead to an early holiday recess. He proposed that the school year could extend until June, with the main summer vacation shifted to August and September. This, he argued, would allow for a smoother return to studies after the holidays without frequent interruptions and would benefit parents by aligning school breaks more closely with the working week.

Furthermore, Ozen criticized the burden placed on local authorities and parents to organize and fund vacation programs and camps during these inter-holiday periods. He noted that these arrangements add significant financial strain on families already preparing for holiday expenses.

The Parents' Union is advocating for an adjustment of the school calendar to better match the operational days of the economy, even if it requires a radical change to the traditional timing of the summer vacation in Israel. The union believes this reform is essential to prevent the ongoing disruption of the educational continuum.