Although certainly not all children and teenagers will be pleased: the summer holidays in Bavaria are ending. The first day of school is Tuesday. In the neighboring federal state of Baden-Württemberg, however, school starts a day earlier, with the classic weekly start on Monday. Why do Bavaria’s students traditionally begin classes on Tuesday?
Start-of-Year Conferences and Travel Volume
In response to a BR24 inquiry, a spokesperson for the Bavarian Ministry of Education cited several reasons for the school start being shifted one day into the week. Accordingly, in Bavaria, the start-of-year conference takes place at schools on the Monday before instruction begins. By then, according to the spokesperson, the results of any make-up exams are also known. “These exams typically take place at the end of the summer holidays so that students have sufficient time to prepare.”
In the past, it has been repeatedly emphasized in this context that this allows Bavaria’s teachers to enjoy the entire last week of the holidays, including the weekend—and not have to return to school as early as Thursday or Friday.
The slightly later school start is also intended to help with family vacation planning. It is “an important concern to stagger travel volume,” according to the Ministry of Education.
Exceptions Only for Certain Types of Vocational Schools
According to the ministry, the Tuesday start of classes applies to most types of schools in Bavaria. Exceptions are only possible for certain vocational schools. Generally, this regulation has “proven successful as a point of orientation for the school community and for organizational reasons.” Thus, the Tuesday school start overall contributes to a smooth process.
By the way: Anyone fearing an injustice against Baden-Württemberg can relax. Although school there starts again on Monday after the summer holidays, their holidays also began a day earlier on a Thursday—a day when Bavaria’s students still had to (briefly) go to school. And in any case, it holds true: all federal states have 75 days of holiday.
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