Thousands of pupils are losing out on around two weeks of learning a year because of shorter school weeks, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi has warned.
The cabinet minister highlighted the problem as he said he wanted every school to ensure their week is at least 32.5 hours long by September 2023.
It is among the measures contained in the Schools White Paper, due to be published on Monday.
The move forms part of the drive aimed at ensuring 90% of pupils leave primary school having reached expected standards in numeracy and literacy.
While most school weeks across primary and secondary schools in England already meet the weekly target, the Department for Education has said said there are “discrepancies”.
Speaking to the Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Mr Zahawi also defended the awarding of a knighthood to his predecessor, Sir Gavin Williamson, who was twice sacked as a cabinet minister and oversaw the exams fiasco in 2020.
‘Logistical problems’
Mr Zahawi pointed out the average school week was 32.5 hours long, but at “thousands of schools” pupils were getting between 10 and 30 minutes less teaching time a day.
He said: “If it is 20 minutes lower… that is the equivalent of two weeks lost from the school.
“Two weeks loss of learning is a big loss which is why I want every school to do this.
“I’d like them all to do it by the end of this year, but I know some of them have logistical problems which is why we said that by next year they should achieve that.”
The awarding of a knighthood to the former education secretary was controversial
When pressed over the widening gap between pupil funding in private and state education since the Tories took office, Mr Zahawi blamed the financial crash that “led to us having to tighten our belts and try…
Source : skynews
