While many countries have five-day school programs, France maintains the tradition of a four-day primary school week*. But why don't some French children go to school on Wednesdays? This practice has its roots in historical, social and pedagogical considerations.
Historical legacy
The practice of not sending children to school on Wednesdays dates back to the late 19th century. At that time, French pupils attended school six days a week. Over time, however, the need to reduce pupils' workloads and make adjustments to the structure of the school week emerged. In 1882, the Ferry law introduced compulsory schooling and established the principle of secular, free and compulsory education for all children. The six-day school week was reduced to five days, and Wednesdays were reserved for extracurricular activities and rest.
A day for other activities
Choosing not to have school on Wednesdays gives students the opportunity to take part in extracurricular, sporting and cultural activities. This promotes children's overall development by enabling them to engage in leisure, sports, arts and other activities that can contribute to their personal fulfillment. Don't hesitate to visit this page to register your children for the Wednesday Club atécole M , so that they can take advantage of this day to take part in fun, creative and sporting activities, organized by our team of English-speaking activity leaders.
Recent adaptations
However, it is essential to note that changes have taken place in recent years. Some schools have experimented with four-day weeks in response to educational needs and parental expectations. These changes have prompted debate and discussion on how best to organize the school week, with arguments in favor of adapting to contemporary realities and concerns about the quality of teaching.
Although the tradition of school-free Wednesdays in France dates back over a century, questions continue to emerge as to the relevance of this organization of the school week. Advocates of the four-day week stress the need to adapt to today's educational needs, while others believe that the tradition of Wednesdays without school promotes children's well-being and offers opportunities for their overall development. Ultimately, the question of whether French children should go to school on Wednesdays remains a complex one, rooted in history and influenced by society's evolving needs.
*Some schools in the inner suburbs of Paris and some private schools without a contract continue to offer school on Wednesdays.