Pros and cons of a shorter school year

In 2019 the then education minister cut five days out of the school year, going from 198 to 193 days.

The objective was to give teachers more time for preparation and development.

According to Jacob Eli S. Olsen, chairman of the Teachers’ Association, this objective has generally been met, with many teachers reporting that the five extra days of preparation, skill development and assessment are making a positive difference in their work. 

The extended holidays are popular with the children, too, but not all parents are pleased with the change.

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”Many parents need to take time off from work to look after their children during the extended holidays. This can have a negative effect on family life,” says Olsen.

He adds that teachers and parents were not consulted prior to the minister’s decision to cut the school year short.

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“We need to let parents and teachers have their say.”

The Teachers’ Association is in talks with the culture ministry, which oversees education, about a comprehensive review of this new system.

The plan is to start this review next year.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

Translated by prosa.fo.

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