The annual school rhythm for pupils in compulsory education in the French Community of Belgium is about to undergo a revolution.  On 12 May 2021, the Government approved the guidance note on the revision of annual school rhythms, applicable to all types and levels of compulsory education as of next school year 2022-2023.

The principle of the reform is to adopt the "7+2" model, alternating 7 weeks of classes followed by 2 weeks of holidays.  The consequences are the lengthening of the All Saints' and Carnival holidays (two weeks instead of one for each of these periods) and the shortening of the summer holidays.  The 2022-2023 school year will therefore start on the last Monday of August (29th) and end on the first Friday of July (7th).  This is an important change that will only affect pupils in the French Community.  

This organization of the year is designed to better respond to the well-being of the child, and is defended, in particular, by several chronobiologists and pedagogues.  According to these experts, the summer holidays are too long for the pupils, who become disconnected from school and from learning.  Conversely, a single week's holiday in the first and second terms was too little to allow pupils to breathe effectively.

However, the repercussions of this new rhythm will be manifold on all levels of society: on the organization of work and holidays in companies; on schools which have to adapt quickly; on the public transport offer, which will have to increase at the beginning of July and at the end of August; on the tourism sector, which will see its summer scope reduced and on summer camps, to refer few examples.

More information:  https://gouvernement.cfwb.be/home/presse--actualites.html 

Source: Belgium - French Community Eurydice National Unit