Discussions about adjusting the school holidays in Flanders have resurfaced, sparking interest across Belgium. The topic of a shorter summer holiday was debated during the recent Flemish government negotiations, but no changes will be implemented soon. As of 2025-05-26 14:29:00, the current holiday calendar remains intact.
- Aanpassing vakanties blijft voorlopig uit
- Vooruit pleit voor kortere zomervakantie
- N-VA en CD&V nemen geen standpunt
- Vlaamse regering stimuleert zomerscholen
- Leerlingen kunnen ook tijdens zomer leren
The political party Vooruit strongly supports reducing the length of the summer break, aiming to better balance learning and leisure. However, coalition partners N-VA and CD&V did not express a clear position on this issue in their election programs last year. Instead, the Flemish government is focusing on enhancing education through summer schools, allowing students to continue learning during the holidays.
What does this mean for families and schools in Belgium? The debate continues, but the status quo stays for now.
Why was the idea of shortening the summer holiday ultimately set aside? Several factors likely influenced this decision:
- Coalition partners lacked consensus, with no clear stance from N-VA and CD&V.
- Vooruit’s push for shorter holidays faces practical and political challenges.
- Summer schools provide a compromise, promoting learning without altering the holiday calendar.
- Maintaining the current schedule avoids disruption for families and schools.
As the Flemish government invests in summer schools, will this approach satisfy calls for improved education? Only time will tell if these initiatives meet the needs of Belgian students and parents, or if holiday reform will resurface in future debates.
