Shorter school holidays in Wales could hurt the rural economy of Powys, councillors will be told this week amid calls for the authority to oppose the scheme.

The Royal Welsh Show has already raised concerns that shortening the summer holiday could impact the show which takes place at the start of the holiday period.

And a motion will be put forward this week by Cllr Gareth D Jones of the Independent group calling on the council to voice its opposition to the proposals.

Cllr Jones said: “We call on the council to lobby Welsh Government and oppose the proposed shorter school summer holidays.

“We are calling on this for several reasons including: the detrimental effect this will have on the Powys rural economy and the huge impact it will have on the Royal Welsh Show."

READ MORE: Royal Welsh Show summer holiday move fears explained

He also believes that there is a “lack of evidence” that shorter summer holidays would have a “positive outcome” for school pupils.

His motion will be backed by Conservative Cllr Gwynfor Thomas who is also the chairman of the learning and skills committee which scrutinises education.

The Welsh Government has been holding consultations on the issue, along with another on its new subsidy scheme - which the council is also being asked to oppose.

On the shorter summer holidays, the Welsh Government held a consultation from November 21 to February 12.


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They proposal is to see the summer holiday reduced from six to four weeks, with longer half terms and a set date for spring holidays rather than moving around in line with Easter.

A Level and GCSE results would also be announced on the same day in August – rather than a week apart as is the case now.

The government believes that children find going back to school after a long break to be difficult and much of the teaching at the start of term is to go over what has already been taught in the previous school year.

Teachers also report more behavioural and well-being issues after the summer break.

The government is currently reviewing the response to this consultation.