Pressure is mounting on German states to reach a unified approach to school holiday schedules, following a recent debate surrounding special arrangements in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Federal Education Minister Karin Prien has urged the Länder (states) to collaborate and develop a “modern solution” to the complex issue.
The call for harmonization comes as the Federal Parents’ Council also voices its desire for greater consistency in holiday planning. Aline Sommer-Noack, the council’s deputy chair, emphasized the need for a collaborative dialogue between states to establish long-term, sustainable solutions.
Families consistently express a need for increased predictability when making vacation plans, particularly when children attend different school types or reside in separate states. A standardized, rolling holiday cycle has been repeatedly suggested as a method to significantly improve this planability.
The summer months, in particular, pose significant challenges for families seeking childcare and leisure activities, making a unified system potentially valuable. However, Sommer-Noack acknowledged the historical and structural reasons underpinning the special regulations currently in place in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, highlighting the importance of respecting these factors while seeking broader consensus.
