Christmas and New Year: A time for relaxation for students and parents

After spending more than four months in school, the school calendar calls for a break for students, starting on December 24, 2022.

While some parents assign their children more household chores during this time, it appears that others, on the other hand, go on vacation with their children.

This break is also an opportunity to review certain subjects with the children to prepare them for the post-holiday period.

To inform parents about this period, which lasts only a few weeks, our editorial team met with the provincial director of the EPST in Kinshasa, Lukunga.

Mokito Gaunda believes that this period of relaxation is crucial, as it allows children to recharge and regain their strength before the upcoming school weeks.

He made these remarks during an interview on Monday, November 14, 2022, in his office located in the Gombe district.

“After several weeks of waking up at dawn and running around all over the place, they can take a break,” he emphasized. “During their downtime, students can get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine while staying away from home, for example,” he added.

Another activity that can benefit children during the so-called Christmas break is napping.

“Sleeping in, since before the break, most of them get up at the crack of dawn so as not to be late for class,” he added.

For Mokito Gaunda, downtime is essential not only for children but also for adults, as it is indispensable for recharging and regaining strength before the upcoming weeks of school.

For this professional educator, hard work is not recommended for children during the holidays because the break is a brief period set aside for relaxation—not just for children, but for all family members.

“Very often, it is during the holidays that parents and children reconnect, rediscover each other, and spend quality time together,” he noted.

It should be noted that for the 2022–2023 school year, the Christmas and New Year’s break will begin on Saturday, December 24, 2022, and classes will resume on Monday, January 9, 2023.

Paulin NGENDA