All-day school: what does it have to offer?

All-day school well represented in Germany

Schools with all-day instruction and childcare are no longer a rarity, at the latest since the German federal government massively promoted the development and expansion of all-day schools in the years 2003 to 2009 in the form of the billion-euro investment program “Future, Education and Care”.

According to a 2012 study carried out on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation, every second school in Germany is an all-day school. The concept of all-day schools is particularly well represented in the federal states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia. The number of all-day school offers in Germany should increase even more in the future.

The concept of all-day school

The all-day school differs from the half-day school in that the pupils do not finish school at midday or in the early afternoon, but can usually only go home between 4 and 5 p.m., depending on the school. Accordingly, the students eat lunch together at school.

In comparison to a half-day school, the all-day school takes on many more tasks: It is not only a place of instruction, but also a place for leisure activities. In addition to the classic lessons, the students can choose from a wide range of sports, instrument lessons and other leisure activities. The diverse selection often results from the cooperation of the all-day school with sports and cultural clubs, which is desired by the government and the schools.

There are basically two types of all-day school: compulsory and open all-day school.

• In an all-day school, the students are obliged to take part in the school’s activities for at least seven hours on at least three days a week. Compulsory lessons can certainly be in the afternoon, so that school lessons can be spread over both the morning and afternoon lessons. In the afternoons, mainly artistic or sporting subjects take place.
• In principle, an open all-day school has a morning lesson structure similar to that of a half-day school. In addition, she offers an afternoon program after lunch on a voluntary basis. This means that while the usual school lessons take place in the mornings, the students can come together in the afternoons for AGs, sports activities or remedial classes. Parents decide at the beginning of the school year whether their child will take part in the open all-day event and to what extent the offer should be used.

How much does the all-day school cost?

A bonded all-day school with compulsory afternoon classes is usually free , unless it is a private school , where fees may be charged.

For open all-day schools, a parental fee may apply, since the afternoon offer is often in the hands of an independent school authority and is not fully financed by the federal states and municipalities. The parents’ contribution to an open all-day school is usually graded according to the parents’ income and has an upper limit of around 100 to 150 euros per month . There can be a sibling discount for the second child in the family who comes to the school. For low-income families, there is also the possibility of subsidies or even the assumption of costs by the municipality or the school authority.

Depending on the school, there may also be additional costs for AGs, courses and instrumental lessons. Lunch must also be paid for separately in both open and tied all-day schools. Lunch usually costs between €1 and €3.50 .

Should your child go to an all-day school?

Perhaps you too are faced with the decision of whether you should send your child to an all-day school. We have put together a few arguments for you here that speak for and against the concept and that can help you with your decision.

Arguments for all-day schools

• Dual employment : Since your child spends a large part of its time at school, this type of school makes it easier for both parents to work.
• Equal opportunities : according to the 2012 family report, all-day schools are an important element in promoting equal opportunities. Because it can partially replace private tutors, music schools or the sports club and thus relieve parents financially and organizationally. Many leisure and support activities take place in the all-day school, for everyone equally.
• More support possible : With freer forms of work in the afternoon, the students can learn at their own pace and according to their interests. In this way, individual support for the students is possible, taking into account their learning weaknesses and strengths.
• No homework : After school, students usually don’t have to do any homework and can focus on their free time. “ Homework ” is done at school, ideally together with teachers and possibly combined with tutoring.
• Social Learning : Students learn how to interact peacefully throughout the day, such as at lunch or afternoon activities. This has a positive influence on the social climate within the school and promotes social learning.
• More co-determination : The connection to school and the sense of community are strengthened in an all-day school. Ideally, improved opportunities for parents and pupils to participate in the organization lead to greater participation in everyday school life.
• Cooperation with other institutions : Through the cooperation of the all-day school with sports clubs and music schools, child and youth welfare, social and cultural institutions and local businesses, the students are provided with a comprehensive range of leisure and support activities. This means that the school is not just a self-contained institution, but rather a networked institution.

Arguments against all-day schools

• Restriction of the students’ freedom : Critics complain that the all-day school goes hand in hand with a schooling of leisure time. Since children spend most of their time at school, they also have significantly less time for really free leisure activities.
• Less family life: With your child at school all day, parents and children may spend less time together.
• State education : According to opponents of all-day schools, parents have less influence on their child’s education, upbringing and care.
• Reduced lesson preparation : As teachers in all-day schools are present longer, this can affect their lesson preparation. This can be limited both in its intensity and in its creativity.
• Dependence : The concept of all-day school is that children spend a multiple of their time in school. However, being dependent on teachers all day can mean that their independence is not encouraged.