A fixed summer vacation from June 1 to August 31 and the possibility of a local shortening of the school week to four days in April and May.
These are some of the things that Kuno Fencker (N) proposes in a reorganization of the structure of the elementary school, so that the school year is adapted to Greenlandic cultural and social conditions.
Along with two other points about elementary school, Kuno Fencker's proposal will be considered by Inatsisartut today.
"Naleraq believes that Greenland's children should grow up with a school system that is adapted to our reality. Greenland's climate, seasons and traditional ways of life make it inappropriate to maintain a school calendar that is based on European conditions," the resolution states.
The proposal should enable children and young people to actively participate in the family's catching, hunting, fishing and stockpiling and be an extension of school, as a cultural education.
Naleraq refers to indigenous peoples in Nunavut, Alaska and Sami areas, who have been successful in adapting school systems to the rhythm of nature and culture.
However, the party recognizes that there may be a need to adjust childcare offers for those families who do not have the whole summer off.
School provides structure and community
Although it is important that children's education supports the understanding and attachment to Greenlandic culture and nature, MIO strongly advises against an extended summer vacation.
This is what MIO writes in a press release.
The proposal for a three-month summer holiday means that many children will be without the daily structure, fixed framework and stable adult contact that school normally provides for a longer period of time, writes the children's rights institution.
- Our experiences from trips throughout the country show that school for many children - and especially for children in vulnerable positions - constitutes a crucial space of safety with structure, stable adults and community. For these children, school is often the place where they encounter predictability and safe relationships in everyday life.
- A three-month summer holiday risks removing this point of contact and leaving the children without the stable adult contact and daily structure that are crucial for their well-being, says children's spokesperson Stina Sværd in the press release.
They also point out that many families cannot take time off during the entire summer holiday period, and that access to school childcare is limited in several places in the country.
At the same time, they warn that not all children have the opportunity to participate in hunting, trapping and cultural activities through the family.
MIO, on the other hand, proposes that cultural and nature-based knowledge be more integrated into education, so that all children – regardless of the family's resources and conditions – have the opportunity to acquire this knowledge.
More cultural learning in education
MIO recommends that Kuno Fencker's proposal not be implemented in its current form.
In particular, they advise against introducing a three-month summer vacation and four-day teaching weeks when parents still have a regular working week.
They instead suggest that holiday periods be placed more flexibly in relation to hunting and trapping seasons, without condensing it into a three-month vacation.
They also suggest that cultural and nature-based learning be integrated into teaching.
Naleraq also suggests flexibility to use outdoor and nature-based teaching as part of the teaching obligation.
Together with Kuno Fencker's proposal for a restructuring of the school year, Inatsisartut will address a point that there may be a maximum of 18 students in a primary school class, and a point that written level tests in 3rd and 7th grade be abolished. Both proposals have been submitted by the Demokraatits Inatsisartutgruppe.
All three proposals will be considered on 2nd May 12th.
