The Ministry of Education has created a new school holiday schedule. Previously, there was a plan for the Christmas break to end early. Now this has changed.
In the 2026/2027 academic year, the winter school break will start on December 21 and end on January 3. The following year, the break will start on December 20 and end on January 2. Starting from the 2027/2028 academic year, the Christmas holiday will last until Epiphany.
Ott Oja, an employee of the Ministry of Education, says that after discussions with schools, it was found better to start the break later. This way, Epiphany falls within the holiday period. Earlier, the ministry did not want to make the break too long to prevent the academic year from extending too far.
School leaders and the teachers' union supported the new plan. However, they were concerned about the third break. It starts on February 28, and Republic Day falls on a school day. Children would have to attend school on Friday. Oja said many children might be absent. The ministry is looking for a solution.
Schools can decide for themselves whether to start the break on February 24. Then Republic Day and Friday would be free. The state cannot make Friday a day off because there must be at least 175 school days.
31 municipalities provided feedback on the new plan. Some suggested that school could start earlier in August and end earlier in June. Learning is harder in hot weather. However, school must always start on September 1. Local schools can decide on an earlier start themselves.
Estonia's academic year is short compared to other European countries. This makes teaching faster and homework more extensive. A longer academic year might be better. Teachers would have more time, and students would learn better.
The students' union supports a longer Christmas break. It gives children time to rest. They requested that the break be 14 days long.
Previously, Epiphany was a school day in Estonia. Now it falls within the holiday period. This is a good change.
The new schedule will take effect starting in 2027. The Christmas holiday is now longer, and Epiphany is a day off.