After Wallonia, Flanders is also extending the autumn holidays until Wednesday 11 November. The Flemish Minister of Education Ben Weyts (N-VA) has decided. ‘We are now making an effort of 2 days to be able to reopen the schools until the Christmas holidays.’
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After next week, all Flemish schools will have an extended breather until 11 November. The schools will reopen on Thursday 12 November. Minister Weyts has decided this after consultation with the education sector on the basis of new advice from virologists.
“I apologize to the parents who now have to find a solution for Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10,” Weyts responds. ‘We are now making an effort of 2 days to be able to reopen the schools until the Christmas holidays. The school teams have been working very hard for 2 months in unseen circumstances. I ask our teachers to continue for 1 more week where possible. Then there is a well-deserved and extended pause for breathing. ‘
‘We are not happy to make this decision, because many lesson times have already been lost due to corona,’ said the minister. But according to the experts, even a limited extension of the vacation can now make a positive difference for society as a whole. If, with an effort of 2 days, we can ensure that the schools can open again until the autumn holidays, then we should seize that opportunity. ‘
Weyts hopes that the schools and parents will now have the necessary time to prepare for an extended autumn holiday. ‘I do realize that this can cause organizational problems in some families. Parents are prepared for the autumn holidays, but now have to find a solution before Monday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 10. I apologize to all parents, but we must do this so that the schools can remain open in the long term. ‘
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