The Government announced its intention to review school summer hours, popularly known as ‘half days’, in April last year, and a press release was issued on 8 April 2025 inviting members of the public to participate by way of consultation.  

The main drivers for change were attendance and consistency, and how these affect learning. Some of the specific reasons considered included the increasing temperatures at the end of the summer term which ran well into July, including temperatures at the time of collection of children at lunch time, learning productivity during half days, and absenteeism especially in the summer term half day period. It was generally felt that full days are more conducive to learning, but full days well into July would be challenging.

There were just over 200 responses to the dedicated email, with 85% of these being in favour of doing away with half days.

The Department of Education was then tasked with looking at various formulae whereby this could be done, comparing the school year with other countries and looking at the implication on teaching/learning hours.  

Proposals were put to head teachers on 11 February and subsequently to the three unions with members within Education, NASUWT, UNITE and GGCA. This was followed by complex discussions within the Department and between the Unions and Government, until a decision was taken late last week, which was followed by the announcement on Friday. Some fine details in relation to some grades are still to be finalised and are on the way to being resolved, but it was decided not to delay the announcement further. The Government also needed reassurance that the schools where it had committed to provide air conditioning would have the works ready on time and could not commit until this was guaranteed.

The Government does not consider that there will be an adverse effect on the education of our children and young people, and would not have taken the step if it felt that that would be the case.

The current school year has a total of 191 days, while the amended school year will have between 177 and 179, (say 178, depending for example on what day of the week the 30th June falls). However, this figure of 191 does not take into account the fact that on ‘half days’ the number of teaching/learning hours is roughly 2/3 of a day. This means that in fact, taking into account both summer and autumn term summer hours, there are the equivalent of 7.5 fewer days currently taught. Deducting this from 191, teaching days are in fact equivalent of 191-7.5=183.5 days. The reduction is therefore not two and a half weeks, as some have suggested, but of one and a half school weeks.

However, as is generally understood, especially in secondary, where learning time will be more critical, due to poor attendance and other related issues, the 14 days of half days are not totally educationally efficient or effective. Therefore fully effective school days are 190-14=176. Given that the term will continue on full days for two weeks more than at present, there is in effect virtually no loss in real teaching/learning time in secondary.  

There will be benefits, such as in counteracting burn-out in learners, teachers, and SNLSAs, and allowing children and young people more time to carry out alternative activities. The GSLA has already announced an extension of its Stay and Play provision, PossAbilities is likewise reviewing its programme and the Care Agency is also looking at increasing support available.

The Government is looking at the provision of additional support where it may be necessary in specific cases.

While the relative short notice is regretted, the change has been welcomed by many. True, some have expressed concern. This mixed reaction is normal whenever change is contemplated, and was very much the case when the Government announced the move to mixed gender secondary education, the change in secondary entry from Year 8 to Year 7, and the co-location of Westside and Bayside schools. 

Minister for Education John Cortes said, “The standard of education in our schools, both in relation to buildings and facilities and to standards of teaching is excellent. This adjustment to the school calendar, which better reflects the needs of a community in a Mediterranean climate, will not be detrimental to education standards. I have every confidence in the senior teams and the teachers and support staff in the schools who will ensure that the standards are maintained and will continue to work as hard as they do in educating our children and young people”.