Despite many experts asserting that the current research is inconclusive, B.C.'s education minister George Abbott says the proof is out there that a balanced school calendar has academic benefits.
Abbott said last week that his ministry will release school districts across the province to make their own choices on whether to operate on a balanced "year-round" school calendar, as opposed to the current traditional schedule, which dates back more than a century.
Beforehand, schools could approach, via their districts, the government on a case-by-case basis for permission to make the calendar switch, such as with Spul'u'kwuks and Garden City elementaries in Richmond.
If everything goes to plan, Abbott said the two-month long summer break could be consigned to history by 2014.
And, he said it's a step in the right direction for students struggling with their schoolwork.
"We really didn't expect the reaction there has been, but by 2013/14, we are proposing to eliminate the standard school calendar as it's very much inconsistent with what we know about learning," said Abbott.
"Having kids off for up to 10 weeks is problematic for vulnerable learners and they might not be getting the re-enforcement they need during the summer."
Abbott gauged reaction thus far at about "50/50" in favour, but claimed "many of the people who're uncomfortable with the legislative change are uncomfortable because they don't fully understand what we're proposing."
"Going to school 'year-round' is more of an expression than a reality. It's three months followed by one month off.
"Those who have taken the opportunity (to switch to a balanced calendar) do seem to really like it."
As for the theory that kids need that long summer break to unwind and be kids, Abbott insisted that those lazy, hazy days are vital days of learning potential lost.
"Kids from (age) 0-10 are learning voraciously and we do miss an opportunity if they're not learning in the summer," he said.
Abbott said the standard school calendar is a relic of an agrarian society where children did farm work in summer.
"What we now have is a pretty strong case that children learn better when they don't have a long summer break, that a shorter period when they're away from school is better," Abbott said.
