Dubai: “My kids’ summer break started last week and they’ll be back to school on September 1. That’s roughly two months. As a mum, I believe this summer holiday is just right — not too long, not too short — for my kids to be able to relax. During the break, we usually fly back home so they can spend time with our family there. On idle days, they take swimming and piano lessons to make wise use of their break. I don’t want them to take structured classes because they’re already too stressed with their academics for nine or 10 months, this is their time to relax. Kids nowadays face a massive amount of pressure when it comes to their studies. They have homework every single day, their lessons are way more advanced than what I can remember I had back then. Having that summer break is good to break the monotony of studying—they wake up at 5am, then their bus picks them up at 6.10am. Imagine the regimented life they have for nine or 10 months. We also have to balance it out. Anyway, once they’re back in school, they’ll be able to adjust after one or two weeks. So if we adults need a break, the kids do too.”
- Ritchell Pangilinan, 41, physical therapist, mother of two
“I agree that the summer break for students is too long; two-and-a-half months is too long. Students have a rigorous syllabus these days. Teachers cram the lessons with the limited time they have. I understand summers are extreme here but that doesn’t mean there should be productivity loss also. My daughter usually spends her break playing cricket, badminton, going to lunches, parties, going to India. She really looks forward to the summer vacation. After such a long holiday, it takes kids one to two weeks to adjust to school life. Children will always favour long summer breaks because they don’t have to study, they don’t have to wake up early in the morning, nor worry about missing the bus. I would say four weeks of total break is good enough. Ideally, after a month-long break, they should have an internet-based education for two weeks so they can still learn.”
- Madhu Madan, 44, homemaker, mother of one
“Considering the weather over here, I feel it’s very difficult for the kids to have a short break. In our countries also we had a two-month break, which is essentially needed for the kids because the academic year is already too hectic for them. They need to have time of their own. They’re too busy with their academics most times of the year, they need to have that break where they can be refreshed and be able do something of their interest. For the past four years, we have been sending her back to Kerala to spend time with her grandparents. That way she can also bond with her cousin, get to know about the culture, understand what family is, and know all the social functions. Her native language has improved a lot since she started going on vacation there. I don’t think there is such a thing as ‘summer learning loss’. They do forget a bit but it’s normal. We make sure that she reviews basic courses such as languages, reading, and math so she’s not disconnected. A two-month break is perfect. If at all it should be reduced, one to 1.5 months is fine.”
- Praseetha Rajesh, works in the pharmaceutical industry, mother of one
“It is normal that students wait for the summer vacation to get a break from school-related responsibilities. I don’t believe that this leads to learning loss... But it is beneficial if parents create a summer routine to dedicate half an hour every day to reading and math, and towards [organising] interesting activities to engage their children in.
“I try to get my daughter to read during the summer break, even though I do meet some resistance every now and then. And even when we travel, I always make sure to pack some books for the summer.”
- Inas Nasr Bou Azzedine, 34, Lebanese, educator
“It is true that my children seem to forget just about everything they have learnt during the holidays, but when they go back to school for the next academic year, [the learning] tends to come back. So the break can’t be far too long. From my point of view, schools should focus more attention on assigning summer homework that helps children keep track of the things they have been taught.
“Other than that, the long and visit extended family in Egypt. My children miss their grandparents and the rest of their family through the year, so they eagerly wait for their summer holiday [trip] to Egypt.”
- Karz Adel Aboubakr, 48, Egyptian, home maker
As a mother of two teens, I don’t agree with the concept of summer learning loss, as I have not encountered this problem. I think if children have a summer routine which incorporates both play and relaxed learning, [learning loss] will not happen. In fact, in my opinion [summer break] is a no learning loss but rather a gearing up or a settling in phase. Contrary to the belief that learning loss occurs in all children, initial school performance [in the next academic year] could possibly be a result of a change in curriculum, school, place, etc. Summer is the best time of the year for kids and parents because we spend more time with them. Soon, before parents realise it, children grow up and get on with their lives. So create memories which you and your children will cherish forever.”
- Shabeena Zakir, 45, Canadian, home maker
