As from September 2022, there will be changes in the school calendar in primary and secondary schools in Catalonia. The biggest change is that the school year will start earlier than usual, not after the 11th of September, as has been the custom.
When does the 2022-2023 academic year begin?
Classes will begin on Monday, September 5th, for all children from P3 until 6th grade of Primary. In the case of ESO (Secondary), baccalaureate and vocational training courses, classes will begin on Wednesday 7th September.
What will the schedule look like in September?
There will be a reduced working day in September. School hours will be from 9h to 13h for primary students, although the canteen service will continue for those who want it. This means that students who stay for lunch at school will be able to leave at 15.30h.
This change in schedule does not affect compulsory secondary school, baccalaureate and vocational training, which are allowed to maintain their usual September schedules.
What happens after 15.30h?
According to the Department of Education, Primary school students (from P3 - 6th grade) will be able to stay at school until the usual time without incurring any additional costs for families. If students leave at 13h, they will be able to return to the centre once they have finished their lunch.
Therefore, it will not be the same as currently happens in June in public schools, where activities are offered to cover the reduced timetables, which need to be paid for by the parents. How these extra hours will be managed is not clear.
Will there be fewer class hours next year?
No. The teaching hours are the same as in the current year. The calendar is offset by extending the Christmas holidays and adding a day off for the centres. So, there will be 4 free days in the course of the year, instead of 3.
The Department of Education is proposing that this additional free day happens in the second quarter, given that it has the fewest holidays on the calendar.
What will the Christmas holidays be like?
Next year, the Christmas holidays will be extended by one day. The last school day will be Wednesday, December 21, 2022. The return to school and the beginning of the second term will be on Monday, January 9th, 2023.
When will the school year end?
The school year will end on the eve of St. Joan, as before. Therefore, for kindergarten and primary school students, it will be on Thursday, June 22, 2023. For high school, baccalaureate and vocational students, the course ends on June 20th, which is a Tuesday.
Does the change affect concertades or private schools?
Yes. The new school calendar affects all schools, except those governed by education systems outside Catalonia.
Information provided by ccma.cat. For the original article, go here.