Al-Marsad Newspaper: Writer Khaled Al-Sulaiman objected to extending the school year until the last day of June this year, explaining the reasons for this in an article titled “Studying in the Summer’s Flaws!” in Okaz newspaper.
Al-Sulaiman said at the beginning of his article: I was and still support the three-semester system, and the extended weekends gave students and education staff opportunities to catch a breath. I think it reflected positively on academic achievement, but I am against extending the school year until the last day of June this year. !.
Reasons objection
He explained that the objection is for several reasons, including that it is possible to save a few weeks of this month by injecting their classes during the school year, either by extending or increasing the times of winter classes, and that some students have already started making excuses for absence for their families and failure to seriously commit to studying during this period. Not to mention that our weather is much hotter than the European models that were reproduced in the system of three seasons or extended weekends!
Extended holidays in Europe
He continued: In Europe, the economically extended weekends aim to activate the tourism movement between the countries of Europe, and are not granted at the same time in all countries, but are divided between countries to ensure a continuous movement of European tourism and distribute the movement without causing pressure in air transport or train movement. But is this tourist goal achieved with us? It may be achieved in a limited way now, until the tourism sector system in the Kingdom is completed in terms of housing, entertainment and mobility, but its current impact is limited!
He added, “European countries do not suffer from the scorching weather as we do in June, and this puts pressure on students, especially in some schools where the air conditioners do not work very efficiently, or they suffer from slow maintenance operations, or where air-conditioned interior spaces are available during breaks.” Students and leave!
He continued: I would have hoped that the Ministry of Education would involve parents and those connected to the education sector in discussing the issue, or at least taking views that might be useful and beneficial to decision-makers.