Is it right or wrong to take a vacation in the school term?
By maximax8
@maximax8 (31046)
United Kingdom
August 26, 2011 8:29am CST
In my home country the school term runs from September to July the next year. There are school holidays: 2 weeks at Christmas, 2 week at Easter and 6 weeks in the summer. There are als0 1 week half terms in February, May and October. Usually if there is bank holiday they put the half term in that week.
I remember my first year of teaching. One 6 year old girl turned up 5 weeks into September. It was by then early October. I asked where she has been. She said that she had gone to Spain and Malta. These days schools are a lot more strict about parents taking the children for vacations in the school term. I think flights and vacations can be very expensive in the school holiday especially Christmas and even more so the summer one.
When my disabled son was in nursery and a playgroup I liked to take my trips in term time in between teaching contracts. I asked the new head teacher how he felt about vacations in term time. He said he allowed them in June and July. He doesn't understand that those months are winter in the Southern hemisphere.
What is good about taking a child out of school in term time for a vacation?
What is bad about taking a child out of school at that time?
Which is your choice?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@dandan07 (1906)
• China
26 Aug 11
I think the school is not the only place for children to learn knowledge, so there is no need to limited them stay in school to learn something. I think going out side to have a view of another part of the world may be a better way for them to understand the world, and can help them know how people in other place lead their lives.
I also believe have more trip in the young age, can help children develop their creative ability, if they find they really need to learn some skills for a live, they can do it after 20s. It is the right time for they making their choice by themselves, not by their parents.
@JosephP (1116)
• Jamaica
9 Sep 11
Well logically I would say that it is wrong to take a child from school to go on vacation. However While I was a child I was taken from school to go on vacation multiple times. This was because this was the only time that my mother could afford to take us. I think I turned out ok but I cannot say what will happen to another child in the same situation.
@SViswan (12051)
• India
29 Aug 11
When I was teaching at a school and my kids were in school, the schools wouldn't allow trips during school term. In fact, teachers and kids needed to be in school during the last day and the first day (unless there was an emergency, of course). I can understand that ...with lessons being planned and the teachers unable to make up for it...after the child returns. The child misses the continuity of the lessons and might find it difficult to catch up.
But trips were cheaper during school term. I've never taken my kids on a trip during the school term. I always planned during the holidays. But now that we are homeschooling, it's easier to plan a trip whenever we want.
The only time my older son took a two month break from school was when I went to my mother's for my second child's delivery. It wasn't travelling and I spoke to the school and got permission before I left.
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
27 Aug 11
Whilst i appreciate that flights and holidays are cheaper out of term time, I don't think it's beneficial for kids to be taken out of school regularly during term time. I think it gives kids the wrong message, that school isn't that important. And I think it's disruptive to their school work.
Despite that, my kids have returned to school late because we've been away occasionally.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
28 Aug 11
I don't know if it's good or bad, but I am actually taking my kids off school in the last week of September for a vacation. Thankfully their school is not so strict, and this is the only time I could schedule my vacation off work.
They would have just started school, and out of it again for a week of vacation which I understand could be disruptive in their routine.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
26 Aug 11
There's many factors to take into account when making the decision to take a kid on holiday during term time..
1)Probably the most important would be will the kid's education suffer as a result?
(Either from missing out on the Curriculum,or becoming integrated as part of the classroom group)..That's a conscience call..maybe the negative could be balanced out by going somewhere another language could be learned or improved..
2) Would the School Education Authority fine Parents for keeping kids out of school during Term time? Some do...
Either a financial or social stigma related decision,that one..
Thirdly,what the holiday will cost..I'm aware fares tend to rise during the official school holiday periods,so avoiding those times could have a financial advantage,(Bearing in mind point #2..)
If the holiday was a once in a lifetime opportunity,there might be an argument in favour..
As a Teacher in Your experience,other factors come up too..For You,it's a question of employment,and with your love of travel,seasonal variations worldwide are a factor..Though I'd be concerned about a Head Teacher being unaware of winter in the southern Hemisphere (Oz?) being the opposite of ours!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
26 Aug 11
I think the trips could be scheduled when school is not in session. Getting and education is much more important unless they are in kindergarden! Even then it's a bad habit to teach them...that a trip is more important then school. Of course there are exceptions..like an illness in the family etc.
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
26 Aug 11
I know when I was younger my parents always took me out of school holidays as it was cheaper but, to be honest I know it is more difficult now. I think it should be allowed if parents want to do that at risk of their childs education but, I don't think you should get in trouble for it which is what I beleive to be the case now.
