Petition to Extend Winter School Holidays by One Week in Luxembourg

Public petition n°3924

Petitioner: Abdullah Sipra

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The petition is submitted to propose a targeted adjustment to the national school holiday calendar. The request: An extension of the winter school holidays by one additional week, and A corresponding reduction of one week from the summer holidays, so that the total number of school holiday days remains unchanged. This proposal aims to better address the current constraints related to travel during the winter period, while maintaining the overall balance of the school calendar.

Justification and Advantages 1. Travel Constraints Due to the Short Duration of Winter Holidays With only two weeks of winter holidays , meaningful travel, particularly for families, is often difficult to organize. Transport and accommodation prices reach very high levels during this peak period, and the short duration limits flexibility. A two-week break leaves very little margin for delays or unforeseen events, making longer journeys stressful and risky. 2. Difference in Feasibility Between Travel Within Europe and Outside Europe Two-week winter holidays still allow, to some extent, travel within Europe, thanks to shorter travel times and frequent connections. However, travel outside Europe becomes particularly difficult, as long-haul destinations require more travel time, adjustment to jet lag, and additional transition days. As a result, families and travelers are significantly limited in their choice of destinations, reducing cultural diversity and opportunities for discovery. 3. Access to Mild-Climate Destinations in December Extending the winter holidays by one week would make it possible to consider regions offering a milder climate during the month of December. Such destinations generally involve longer travel times and are not realistically accessible within the framework of a two-week stay. A three-week holiday period would allow better planning, more effective cost management, and a more balanced travel experience. 4. Reduced Peak-Time Pressure and Better Cost Management A longer winter holiday period would allow greater spreading of departures and returns, reducing congestion at airports and pressure on prices. Families could organize travel on less busy days within the holiday period, making trips more affordable and less demanding. 5. Balanced Adjustment Without Increasing the Total Number of Holidays The proposed extension would be fully compensated by a one-week reduction in the summer holidays. This approach ensures that there is no increase in the total number of school holiday days, while offering greater flexibility during the winter period, which is the most constrained for travel.