Germany's 16 States Clash Over School Summer Holiday Dates

Germany’s 16 states are locked in a dispute over the scheduling of summer school holidays. Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are resisting calls to join the national rotation system followed by the other states. The southernmost states have fixed holiday periods from late July to mid-September, while the rest rotate holidays starting from June. The system aims to reduce congestion and benefit the tourism industry.

In the past, children in southern Germany helped with harvest, but this practice has declined. Despite this, the southern states refuse to change their holiday dates. Child labor laws allow limited work on family farms.

North Rhine-Westphalia's education minister opposes the southern states' holiday privileges, advocating for a fair system. Other states also seek a modern approach to holiday scheduling. Attempts to change holiday start dates faced criticism from the tourism sector, but domestic holiday statistics show a shift in preferences.

Bavaria's state leader, Markus Söder, defends the current holiday dates, citing cultural significance and a unique holiday rhythm ingrained in Bavarian culture.