Students in Esbjerg must attend school on December 23, leaving many families frustrated that Christmas celebrations must wait until after noon. The city defends the schedule as a result of a longer summer break, but critics call it poor planning.
School before Christmas Eve frustrates families
Most Danish students are already on Christmas vacation by December 23. But in Esbjerg Municipality, classrooms remain open until midday on the day before Christmas Eve. For 13-year-old Alma Runge and her classmates at Bakkeskolen, that feels disappointing. Many say they would rather spend the day at home with their families preparing for the holidays.
Teachers at the school confirm that attendance is lower than usual. Around 10 to 15 percent of students stayed home, and lessons are kept light. According to staff, students have mentally shifted into holiday mode already. The focus now is making sure children leave for the holidays in good spirits.
Why the Christmas break is delayed
The late start to Christmas vacation results from a longer summer break earlier in the year, according to Esbjerg officials. Danish schools must stay within an annual limit of 1,400 teaching hours, spread across roughly 200 school days. That gives municipalities flexibility in scheduling, but it can create tension when holidays fall close together.
Teachers and parents argue that the dark, cold months leading up to Christmas already challenge students’ well-being. Without enough breaks, fatigue sets in for both children and adults. Discussions about nationwide school well-being measures have made such concerns more visible in recent years.
At Boldesager School, another Esbjerg institution, the parental committee voiced frustration. Many parents reportedly kept their kids at home or rearranged travel plans to get an early start on Christmas. For blended families who celebrate on December 23, the schedule is especially difficult.
Parents criticize the planning
Parent representatives argue the calendar should have been adjusted earlier. They believe that starting classes two days sooner after summer vacation could have avoided the conflict. Instead, the result is a half-day of school when almost everyone’s attention is elsewhere.
Some families travel across Denmark or abroad for Christmas, and others rely on those morning hours to prepare meals or visit relatives. The timing, many parents say, puts unnecessary pressure on both kids and adults.
The issue has also highlighted how individual municipalities manage school calendars independently. While some prioritize equal spacing between breaks, others try to match typical family vacation schedules. This independence often sparks debate when school holidays differ drastically from neighboring towns.
City council admits mistake
Diana Mose Olsen, chair of Esbjerg’s Children and School Committee, admits the city overlooked the issue when they approved the schedule more than a year ago. She said officials had previously received complaints when Christmas vacations were too long, especially from parents who still needed to work. That led to the current adjustment, which in turn triggered fresh frustration.
Even though the administration sent the plan out for review long ago, the committee never discussed the impact of holding classes on December 23. Olsen says future planning will be more careful, especially in “irregular” academic years.
Esbjerg’s experience has now fueled a broader discussion across Denmark about flexibility in school calendars and the balance between school quality and family life. Labeling the day before Christmas Eve as a normal school day may meet national requirements, but many believe it misses the spirit of the holiday season.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Denmark’s School Well-being Measures Under Fire
The Danish Dream: Best High Schools in Denmark for Foreigners
DR: 13-årige Alma skal i skole i dag: Man vil hellere være derhjemme og hygge med sin familie
