After a petition gathered over 126,000 signatures, there is a push for schools to transition to four-day weeks by extending each day by an hour. Despite the significant public support, the Department for Education (DfE) remains firm in its stance against this proposal.
Advocates argue that a shorter school week could enhance teacher recruitment and retention efforts, while critics, including the Government, warn of the negative impact on parents who would need to arrange alternative childcare solutions.
The issue will be deliberated in Westminster Hall due to the substantial backing it has received. The petition, initiated by an individual named Steve Smith, emphasizes the call for all schools to adopt a four-day week with extended hours per day.
Joe Ryle, the director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, urges Members of Parliament to support the initiative, citing the potential to address the ongoing teacher recruitment challenges and improve work-life balance in schools.
Despite these appeals, the DfE has dismissed the idea of transitioning to a four-day school week. The Department highlights that schools are required to provide a minimum of 32 hours and 30 minutes of education per week, and reducing the week to four days would necessitate significantly longer daily hours to meet this standard.
In its response, the DfE underscores the potential negative repercussions on parents, who might face increased childcare needs, reduced work hours, or even exit the workforce entirely if the school week is shortened. These consequences could impose financial strains on families and impact the national economy.