Op-Ed: Holiday Lessons Harm Students, Teachers & Parents—Here’s Why

By Ahimbisibwe Gad Rugaju

As the school term begins on Monday, 15th September 2025, with most boarding schools reopening their gates from 13th September, this is the right moment to reflect on the true value of holidays in our education system.

Unfortunately, we continue to witness a worrying trend where some headteachers defy the official school calendar set by the Ministry of Education and Sports. Instead of breaking off for holidays, they keep students in class, running unauthorized lessons under the guise of “holiday coaching.” In reality, these practices are largely driven by personal financial gain, exploiting parents through extra fees and depriving children of the rest they deserve. This defiance is not only unfair but also harmful to the holistic growth of students and the professional well-being of teachers.

Holidays, contrary to what some may think, are not idle time. They play a critical role in balancing academic, social, economic, and psychological needs of students, teachers, and parents. Let us consider the different dimensions of their importance.

For Students

Holidays serve as an essential reset button for learners. They allow:

1. Rest and Rejuvenation – Students face immense academic pressure during the term. A structured break gives their minds and bodies time to recharge, preventing fatigue.
2. Socialization – Interacting with family, friends, and peers outside the school environment strengthens their social development.
3. Personal Development – Holidays open space for extracurricular activities, hobbies, and skills development, nurturing talents that are often overlooked in class.
4. Psychological Well-being – Time away from exams, assignments, and strict routines reduces stress and anxiety, fostering mental health and resilience.

For Teachers

Teachers, too, require holidays—not just as a pause from teaching, but as a chance for professional and personal renewal:

1. Professional Rejuvenation – The classroom is demanding, and burnout is a real threat. Holidays refresh teachers, ensuring they return with renewed energy.
2. Professional Growth – Many use holidays to attend workshops, training, and conferences that sharpen their skills.
3. Personal Time – Beyond the classroom, teachers are parents, spouses, and community members. Holidays help them reconnect with these other roles.
4. Improved Productivity – A well-rested teacher is more effective, creative, and impactful when term resumes.

For Parents

Parents are also key beneficiaries of holidays. They gain opportunities to:

1. Bond with Children – Shared time fosters stronger family connections and deeper understanding between parents and their children.
2. Guide and Mentor – Parents can use holidays to instill values, monitor behavior, and support personal development.
3. Enjoy Economic Relief – Unlike term time, holidays reduce continuous school-related expenses, allowing families to plan affordable activities together.
4. Reduce Stress – The less rigid holiday schedule often eases pressure on parents, creating room for relaxation.

The Wider Value Of Holidays

The importance of holidays goes beyond the family unit.

• Economic Significance – Tourism thrives during holidays, creating jobs and generating revenue. Consumer spending on travel, recreation, and retail also provides a much-needed economic boost.
• Social Significance – Many holidays hold cultural and historical importance, helping communities maintain traditions and social cohesion. They also foster togetherness through communal activities.
• Psychological Significance – Holidays promote reflection, personal growth, and stress relief—critical for healthier and more balanced lives.

Therefore, if we deny students, teachers, and parents the rightful rest that holidays bring, we undermine not only education but also society at large. The ministry sets the school calendar deliberately, balancing learning time with rest periods. Head teachers who defy this process in pursuit of profit are effectively short-changing both parents and learners.

It is time to respect the calendar, uphold discipline, and recognize that holidays are part and parcel of education, not an interruption to it. A child who rests well learns better. A teacher who recharges teaches better. A parent who bonds more raises better.

That is why holidays must never be treated as wasted time—they are an investment in healthier minds, stronger families, and a better nation.

The author, Ahimbisibwe Gad Rugaju, is the Deputy RDC of Kanungu District.
Mobile: +256772912643
Website: amanetug.com