Swiss Cantons Contemplate Shifting Summer Vacations to Evade Heatwaves
In the face of growing concerns about the impact of summer heatwaves on learning conditions, Basel-City authorities are considering a proposal to redistribute holidays in an effort to improve 'effective learning' conditions. Sandra Eichenberg, head of communications for the Basel-City Department of Public Education, made this statement.
The suggestion comes from Philipp Loretz, president of the Basel-Country Teachers' Association, who has expressed skepticism about the idea. Loretz believes changing the holiday schedule makes no sense, and not all parties are in agreement regarding the proposed changes to the school calendar.
The discussion revolves around the potential benefits of redistributing holidays, but no specific alternatives or solutions have been proposed yet. Loretz does not specify whether he is referring to air conditioning or other cooling systems, but he does suggest both short-term and long-term measures to combat heat.
Basel-City authorities are planning to discuss the possibility of redistributing holidays with Basel-Country officials and other Swiss cantons. However, no information is available regarding the views of other Swiss cantons on this matter.
Meanwhile, on a broader scale, initiatives and discussions related to heat and education are underway. For instance, the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025 emphasised the importance of infrastructure and climate resilience in educational settings. Additionally, regional discussions have highlighted the need for climate-resilient infrastructure across sectors, such as the recent shutdown of nuclear power plants in Switzerland due to high river temperatures.
In terms of school-specific measures, potential solutions could include implementing energy-efficient cooling systems, enhancing natural ventilation and providing shaded areas, building or retrofitting schools with heat-resilient materials and designs, and incorporating heat safety into school curricula.
Currently, the start date of the school year in Basel-City and Basel-Country is scheduled for August 11th, 2023. However, there is a possibility of postponing the start of the school year due to extreme heat affecting learning conditions.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the proposed changes to the school calendar will be implemented and how these changes will impact the education system in Basel-City and Basel-Country.
[1] Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025: https://www.preventionweb.net/events/global-platform-disaster-risk-reduction-2025 [2] Basel-Stadt and Basel-Land to move school holidays to protect students from summer heat: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/school-holidays-to-be-moved-to-protect-students-from-summer-heat/46776838 [3] European heatwave causes infrastructure challenges: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-heatwave-causes-infrastructure-challenges-2022-07-20/
- Considering the ongoing discussions about the potential benefits of redistributing holidays, one could foster a deeper understanding of environmental-science, particularly regarding climate-change and its impact on learning conditions, within the educational system.
- In light of the broader initiatives focusing on heat and education, such as the emphasis on infrastructure and climate resilience in educational settings by the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2025, continued learning and self-development can help educators and policymakers identify solutions to ensure a climate-resilient educational system for the future.
