Two-Day Weekly Holiday: Impact on Student Learning and Reasons Behind Schools’ Dissatisfaction with Government’s Proposal
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During a House of Representatives session, Communist Party of Nepal MP Balawati Sharma inquired about the government’s response regarding the impact of the two-day weekly holiday on student learning.
She asked, “Will the Sunday holiday cause any qualitative change in students’ education throughout the annual curriculum or not?”
Sharma pointed out that, according to the government-issued directive, there is a mismatch between the scheduled class hours and the actual working hours, which has negatively affected educational institutions.
The MP cited an official circular sent to schools by the Education and Human Resource Development Center that included training on time management concerning the implementation of the two-day holiday.
The circular instructed schools to allocate 15 minutes for prayer time and 30 minutes for snack breaks. It also recommended reducing the winter and monsoon holiday duration from 45 days to 30 days. Moreover, Fridays are to be designated for experimental work and presentations for students.
Schools’ Dissatisfaction
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Community and institutional schools have not accepted this circular, stating it negatively impacts the learning process.
Sudan Prasad Gautam, chairman of the Community School Headteachers’ Association, said, “Adjusting class hours is not as simple as the government suggests. Allocating 30 minutes for a snack break is also not practical.”
They agree it is impossible to cover all subjects properly if the school calendar maintains the seven-day week of classes but takes Sundays off.
However, officials from the Ministry of Education state that feedback from schools has been mixed, and it will take some time to assess the full impact of the two-day holiday system.
Spokesperson Shivkumar Sapkota said, “If the curriculum adjustment plan is implemented honestly, it appears that students’ learning will not be significantly harmed.”
The government introduced the two-day weekly holiday arrangement in the current academic session due to a shortage of fuel.
Conflicting Views on Curriculum Revision
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MP Sharma stressed the need to condense the curriculum, warning that without revision, the Sunday holiday will impose additional burdens on teachers and students.
Chairman Gautam of the Headteachers’ Association also agreed that curriculum revision is necessary.
He explained, “Without a thorough review, it’s impossible to complete the learning process within five days, so revision is essential.”
Conversely, Krishna Adhikari, chairman of the Private and Residential Schools Organization Nepal (PABSON), opposes condensing the curriculum. He suggested, “If the Sunday holiday is to be given, it should be observed on the last Sunday of the month.”
He added, “Even when other offices close, schools still want to avoid Sunday holidays. Reducing school hours slightly is not enough, but we are against reducing the curriculum in a way that harms students’ development.”
Sapkota from the Education Ministry mentioned that the likelihood of revising the curriculum in this academic session is low, describing the process as complex and time-sensitive.
“Curriculum improvements must align with the National Curriculum Framework, which includes all subjects, and organizing this will take definite time,” he explained.
However, he indicated that a solution could be in place by the next academic session.
“After implementing the two-day holiday, the government has proposed various measures to schools to compensate for lost class hours. These suggestions are formal but practical,” he added. “If this situation persists, curriculum improvements per the framework will be necessary.”
He also hinted that the government is actively progressing on this matter.
How Has Student Learning Been Affected?
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Despite the two-day weekly holiday decision, some schools remain open on Sundays.
PABSON officials confirm that some schools continue operations on Sundays in accordance with local government directives.
“Neither teachers nor headteachers in private schools have suggested reducing class hours,” stated a PABSON official, “Our association is working to readjust the schedule by cutting more holidays if pressured.”
Since education up to the secondary level is regulated by local governments, some disregard the federation and government’s decisions.
Headteachers’ Association chairman Gautam said, “When organizational schools operate on Sundays, community schools face difficulties. Many private schools are holding classes, and parents have started responding differently.”
“In schools under Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the ‘Book-Free Friday’ concept exists. Although the government has granted the two-day holiday, its practical implementation remains challenging,” Gautam stated.
“Efforts are ongoing, but doubts remain about achieving expected results.”
Many have expressed concerns over the impracticality of the allotted snack time and the reduction of winter and monsoon holidays. MP Sharma raised similar concerns in the House session, warning, “Reducing monsoon holidays will increase landslide risks for students in remote areas.”
Sapkota from the Education Ministry suggested that schools could seek creative solutions to such issues.
“The government’s two-day holiday decision includes options to coordinate schedules and recover lost hours. Schools and local authorities can add additional teaching hours,” he explained.
He believes the current concerns must be gradually adjusted to.
“Not all changes can be made while keeping everything else the same. For positive results, everyone must be mentally and emotionally prepared,” he added.
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