Summer vacations in Land NRW need a fresh regulatory approach
In the heart of Europe, Germany maintains a coordinated yet flexible summer holiday system, managed by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (Kultusministerkonferenz, KMK). This system, established by the 1964 Hamburg Agreement, limits summer holidays to a maximum of six weeks within the period between July 1 and September 10, with the total annual holidays for students capped at 75 days including other breaks [1][4].
However, two states, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, enjoy a special status that allows them to start their summer breaks earlier than most other states, often outside the staggered rotation system designed to reduce traffic congestion and economic distortions across Germany [1][4]. This unique arrangement has been a subject of longstanding debate, with no clear public indication of a decision or concrete plan to end it as of mid-2025 [3].
The staggered holiday system, aimed at spreading peak travel, is currently in place across fourteen of the sixteen Länder, with North Rhine-Westphalia starting summer vacation on July 8th [2]. This year, some federal states have already commenced their summer holidays, leaving others, like North Rhine-Westphalia, to grapple with the challenges posed by an earlier break.
One such challenge is the impact of heat waves on teaching hours, with numerous hours lost each year due to the soaring temperatures [1]. Working families with younger children often struggle to arrange childcare during heat waves, and every teaching hour is valuable due to the current teacher shortage in Germany [1]. Upper secondary students in Germany are required to attend school during heat waves [1].
In classrooms, temperatures often exceed 27°C, making concentration and learning difficult. Given that Germany experiences its hottest months from July to September, the issue of heat waves and their impact on education becomes increasingly pertinent [1]. To address these issues, calls for reform have been made, urging the state government to support municipalities in providing protection against future heat waves.
Notably, Minister President Hendrik Wüst of North Rhine-Westphalia has announced his intention to end the preferential treatment of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg at the Kultusministerkonferenz [2]. SPD legal expert Sonja Bongers suggests a joint approach by all federal states at the KMK level to allow North Rhine-Westphalia to start summer vacation later [2].
However, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg do not participate in the staggered vacation start system, adding complexity to the reform efforts [1]. In 2022, Minister President Hendrik Wüst urged for this reform, emphasising the outdated nature of the special status [2].
As the country grapples with the effects of climate change and the ongoing teacher shortage, the need for a comprehensive reform that provides protection against future heat waves becomes increasingly urgent. While reform discussions on education and school holidays may arise eventually, currently, the special holiday arrangements for Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg remain in place without announced changes.
- Amidst the ongoing debate, the need for education reform in Germany, particularly focusing on personal growth and learning, is highlighted due to the impact of heat waves on teaching hours and student attendance.
- The quest for comprehensive education-and-self-development reform in Germany, including addressing the challenges posed by heat waves and promoting a fairer holiday system, continues as discussions are underway but the special holiday arrangements for Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg remain unchanged.
