The start and end dates of the academic year in schools are not the same in all countries of the world.
Modern.az reports that AzEdu.az has investigated when the academic year starts and ends in schools in different countries around the world:
In Azerbaijan, classes in general education schools start on September 15 and end on June 14 every year.
The most different academic calendar from Azerbaijan is observed in countries located in the Southern Hemisphere. For example, in Australia and New Zealand, classes usually start in late January or early February and end in December. The main reason for this is that the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. While summer in Azerbaijan falls in June-August, in Australia, summer covers December-February. Therefore, their longest holiday is held in December and January, coinciding with Christmas and New Year holidays.
The Republic of South Africa also starts its academic year in January and concludes it in December for similar reasons. Here, the school year is divided into four quarters. The calendar is structured to suit both climatic conditions and public holidays. Such a system allows students to have more frequent short breaks throughout the year.
In Singapore, classes start in early January and end in November. Due to the country's proximity to the equator, weather conditions remain almost unchanged throughout the year. Therefore, state planning, the conduct of national examinations, and the university admission process play a more significant role than climate in determining the academic year.
One of the most interesting education systems in the world belongs to Japan. Here, the academic year starts in April every year and ends in March of the following year. The main reason for this is historical traditions. Since the late 19th century, the fiscal year, the activities of government agencies, and the university admission system started in April, so schools were also adapted to this date. In addition, the blooming of cherry trees in spring is considered a symbol of new beginnings in Japan, which gives a special spiritual meaning to the start of the school year.
There is no single school calendar in the USA. Each state and even some school districts determine their own calendar. In most places, classes start in late August or early September and end in late May or June. Historically, this system was associated with agriculture, but modern research shows that today's calendar is more adapted to the activities of urban schools and universities.
In Canada, classes also generally start in September and end in late June. Despite the long and cold winter season, a long summer holiday is maintained for families to relax and children to participate in various camps during the summer months.
Germany does not have a single start date. Each federal state of the country organizes school holidays on different dates. The main purpose of this is to prevent millions of people from going on vacation at the same time, reduce traffic congestion, and prevent overcrowding in tourist areas. Therefore, in some states, classes start in August, while in others, they start in September.
In France and Italy, classes usually start in September and end in June or July. In these Mediterranean climate countries, summer months are very hot, so a long summer holiday is maintained. In addition, Christmas and spring holidays are also an important part of the academic year.
Turkey's school calendar is one of the systems closest to Azerbaijan. Classes start in September and end in mid-June.
In the UK, schools usually open in early September and close towards the end of July. The academic year is divided into three parts - autumn, spring, and summer semesters. There are also one-week short holidays during each semester. This system allows students to rest more frequently throughout the year and prevents long periods of uninterrupted lessons.
Finland is considered one of the countries with the most successful education systems in the world. Here, classes start in August and end in late May or early June. Although the summer holiday in Finland is slightly shorter compared to other European countries, students are given enough rest days throughout the year. In this country, the main focus is on students' psychological comfort, creative thinking, and the quality of lessons.
In Norway, the school year starts in August and ends in June. Despite the long and harsh winter season, classes continue as planned. Short holidays are given during Christmas and Easter. The education system in Norway strives to strengthen students' connection with nature, and outdoor lessons are also given ample space.
In Sweden, schools open in the second half of August and close in early June. Throughout the academic year, there are autumn, winter, sports, and Easter holidays. In the Swedish education system, the development of students' skills is prioritized over assessment. Holiday dates are also determined taking into account the physical and psychological development of children.
In Russia, the academic year traditionally begins on September 1 - Knowledge Day - and ends in late May or June. September 1 is celebrated as a special holiday in the country, and solemn ceremonies are held in schools on that day. This tradition has been preserved for many years and is considered the official start of the new academic year.
In most schools in China, classes start in September and end in June or July of the following year. The academic year consists of two semesters. A winter holiday is given for the Chinese New Year, which is celebrated in January or February. The Chinese education system is known for its high discipline and strict entrance exams. Therefore, the school calendar is prepared in accordance with the timing of national examinations.
In South Korea, the school year starts in March and ends in February of the following year. The reason for this is that the university admission system and the state education plan start from spring. Here, students are educated in a system characterized by long school hours and high educational competition.
There is no single school calendar in India either. The start of classes in different states of the country varies according to the climate and monsoon rains. In many regions, classes start in June and end in April. In some northern states, the academic year starts in April. The main reason for these differences is the country's large territory and its coverage of various climatic zones.
In Brazil, classes usually start in February and end in December. Since Brazil is located in the Southern Hemisphere, the summer months coincide with the December-February period. Therefore, the longest holiday in schools is held at the end of the year. The academic year is planned taking into account the country's climatic conditions and national holidays.
It should be noted that in many countries, the opening and closing dates of schools may differ by a few days or weeks, as they are approved annually by educational institutions. The dates shown in the study reflect the most commonly applied and traditional academic calendar in those countries.
