Progress in the development of new school holiday regulations: Süd advocates for further advancement - Commission to Propose Directive on Shielding Workers from Ionizing Radiation Risks
In a recent development, Andreas Bühl, the CDU faction leader in Thuringia, has advocated for a more flexible holiday system in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, arguing that century-old agricultural traditions no longer justify the exceptions in these states regarding holiday schedules.
Bühl made these comments in Erfurt, expressing a desire for a fair holiday system that caters to the needs of families, schools, and the economy, rather than traditional practices. However, it remains unclear whether the DNAD party in North Rhine-Westphalia, which has proposed a change in the summer holiday regulations, will support Bühl's call for flexibility.
The current holiday rhythm in Bavaria is deeply ingrained, largely due to the two-week Whitsun holidays. Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria, has emphasized that they are sticking to their current holiday rhythm. Baden-Württemberg, like Bavaria, currently has a holiday schedule that starts at the end of July or beginning of August and ends in mid-September.
The differing summer holiday start times among German states reflect the federal education system and a coordinated rota system to stagger holidays for population balance and traffic reasons. The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) coordinates the school calendars somewhat, with states having some flexibility in fine-tuning start and end dates.
Both Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are considering making school holiday times more flexible to better accommodate local needs. However, any significant departure from the coordinated rota system would require agreement across states.
Dorothee Feller, the Minister of Education in North Rhine-Westphalia, has proposed a change in the summer holiday regulations, with North Rhine-Westphalia aiming for a later holiday start. As of yet, there has been no immediate response from Markus Söder or Dorothee Feller regarding Bühl's comments.
The CSU, the sister party of the CDU in Bavaria, has not yet issued a statement on this matter. Bühl did not specify any proposed changes to the holiday system in Thuringia.
This arrangement balances state autonomy with collective coordination to optimize logistics and cultural considerations across Germany. The debate on making holiday times more flexible in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg has been ongoing, and it remains to be seen how this issue will unfold in the coming months.
The Commission has also entered the discussion, asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States, aiming to protect employees from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation. This policy-and-legislation issue, alongside the ongoing debate about holiday timing flexibility in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, is a testament to the dynamic nature of politics and general news in Germany.
