Schools are facing pressure to transition to four-day weeks with longer daily hours, as demanded by a significant number of voters. This call for change, supported by over 126,000 signatures on a petition, is set to be discussed by Members of Parliament on Monday. Despite the push, the Department for Education (DfE) has expressed its firm stance against implementing this contentious shift.
Advocates argue that a four-day school week could address challenges in teacher recruitment and retention. Conversely, the government contends that such a move would negatively impact parents, who would need to arrange alternative care solutions.
The issue will be deliberated in Westminster Hall due to the substantial public support it has garnered. The petition, initiated by an individual named Steve Smith, emphasizes the need for all schools to adopt a four-day week by extending daily hours.
Joe Ryle, the director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, which advocates for reduced working hours without salary cuts, has urged Members of Parliament to support the initiative. Ryle highlighted that implementing a four-day week for teachers could alleviate the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis in schools.
However, the government has dismissed the proposal. The DfE stated that state-funded mainstream schools are expected to provide a minimum of 32 hours and 30 minutes per week. Reducing the school week to four days would necessitate significantly longer daily hours to meet the mandated weekly hours, posing challenges for both schools and families.
The DfE emphasized that such a change could burden parents, potentially leading to adjustments in work schedules or even exiting the workforce, ultimately impacting families and the economy negatively.