 The shorter school week would be introduced in August 2008 |
Falkirk Council is moving to shorten the academic week for local schools to four and a half days. The local authority is also seeking to give pupils a week-long winter break in February to help boost preparation time for exams.
If agreed, changes to the school week will be introduced for secondary pupils in 2008 and for primaries in 2009.
Consultation with head teachers, trade unions and parents has now begun to discuss the plans.
A meeting of the council's education and leisure committee heard that the four-and-a-half day week for pupils in the Lothians was operating successfully.
Sickness levels
The so-called "asymmetric" week would see Friday afternoons given over to meetings and training for staff with other activities planned for pupils.
Plans to introduce a longer winter break would see three days deducted from the summer holidays and added to the current two-day break in February.
The local authority said the holiday change would also take effect at a time of year when sickness levels among pupils peaked.
Committee convener, Dr Alex Waddell said: "There seems to be merit in the idea of giving secondary pupils a longer winter break in the run up to the SQA exams but getting the views of schools, trade unions and parents will be essential before any decision can be taken."
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