The spring holidays are coming to an end this Sunday in Flanders, but in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, they are still ongoing until May 12 due to the recent school schedule reform. Unfortunately, this poses a problem for organizing internships as there is a shortage of supervisors. Students who usually lead these internships during Easter cannot be available this year as they approach the exam sessions. As a result, holiday centers are adapting their activities and some are even considering reinforcing out-of-school childcare. However, the change in school rhythm is still not fully mastered in holiday centers since it was only implemented a few months ago. Some parents may even choose to go abroad with their kids during the two weeks of spring break instead of having them attend an internship. 513 activities have been recorded for this year’s spring break by the ONE’s “holiday center” service.
While the spring holidays end this Sunday in Flanders, in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, they have not yet passed. With the reform of school timetables, the two weeks of “Easter” fall this year at the beginning of May, from the 1st to the 12th. And this poses real problems in terms of the organization of internships: there is a shortage of supervisors. “It’s really new habits to have, new rhythms. It’s true for students, it’s true for schools and also for following-school centers”underlines Olivier Gerkeens, of the non-profit association Coala which organizes activities for children.
The pupils and students who usually lead this type of internship during Easter are not available this year, since the exam sessions will already be approaching. “They tell us that they are not available, because they have June exams, but a priori, the June exams must also be slightly postponed. We have some difficulties with that”continues Olivier Gerkeens.
It is therefore necessary to adapt, and for some holiday centres, this notably involves a reorganization of activities spread over one week rather than two. For others, reinforcement of out-of-school childcare is possible. But the change in school rhythm is not yet fully mastered in holiday centers since it came into force only a few months ago, at the start of the 2022 school year. The first effects are therefore only being felt now.
“We only did one week out of two, suddenly, it allowed us to find permanent staff who are available or welcoming people who are either looking for work, or who have holidays and who can come and lend a hand on field”explains Aurélie, holiday park coordinator.
513 declarations of activities were recorded for this spring break 2023 by the ONE’s “holiday center” service. There were 528 in 2022. But it also has undeclared activities. But another solution may be considered by parents: take advantage of the two weeks of spring break to go abroad with the children rather than having them follow an internship.
2023-04-16 06:09:00
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