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School Holidays vs Public Holidays in Singapore: Complete Guide
School Holidays vs Public Holidays in Singapore: Complete Guide
It differs from public holidays which are mandatory nationwide holidays for all employees‚ businesses and government departments in Singapore‚ as school holidays apply only to students and staff of schools in Singapore․
School holidays are distinct from public holidays․ While many people use the terms interchangeably‚ they refer to two separate holidays intended for different groups of people․ Knowing the differences helps families‚ students and working adults plan vacations‚ family tours and leave days throughout the year․
What Are Public Holidays?
Public holidays in Singapore are the official holidays regulated by the government of Singapore․ Except for certain essential services and businesses‚ most workers are entitled to a paid holiday for each public holiday․
There are 11 general public holidays in Singapore each year․ Due to the multicultural nature of Singapore‚ the holidays for Chinese New Year‚ Hari Raya Puasa‚ Hari Raya Haji‚ Deepavali‚ Christmas and National Day apply․
Public holidays generally apply to all members of the public‚ and are times when travel‚ shopping discounts and family gatherings are commonplace․ Public holidays can also create long weekends‚ for example when located adjacent to a weekend․
What Are School Holidays?
School holidays are breaks from academic activity for students in primary and secondary schools‚ as well as junior colleges and other institutions․
Unlike public holidays‚ school holidays are intended to allow time for students to rest‚ be improved‚ and spend time with family members․ Some school staff members‚ such as teachers‚ may have their working hours changed during school holidays․
In addition to gazetted public holidays‚ schools in Singapore have four longer school holidays referred to as the March holidays‚ June holidays‚ September holidays and the year end holidays‚ which often coincide with the year's peak travelling period for local families․
Who Benefits from Each Type of Holiday?
Because public holidays affect many people‚ many businesses may change their hours of operation and people in many industries may have a day off work․ Students may also benefit because most schools are closed on public holidays․
School holidays are mostly applicable for students and teachers․ Most working people would continue their normal schedule and work week‚ unless they take annual leave․ For this reason‚ most working parents will take their leave around school holidays so that they can spend more time with their children․
Also knowing who celebrates what type of holiday is important for families making their plans․
Which Holidays Are the Best for Travel?
Both types of holidays involve travelling‚ but each type of holiday has its own circumstances․
Public holidays are well placed to create long weekends․ A three day weekend is often long enough for a short break to destinations closer to home․
School holidays‚ while allowing extended vacations due to longer periods away from school‚ are among the busiest times of the year for travel and may be when air fares and hotel prices are at their highest․
Along with school holidays‚ families are also able to utilize their annual leave during this time․
Why Understand the Difference?
The difference between school holidays and public holidays can be useful since it can help parents plan family outings‚ allow employees to plan annual leaves‚ and help students make the best out of their holidays․
It also helps avoid confusion when planning travel‚ activities and family events‚ when a holiday for the student is a regular working day for a parent's workplace․ Advance notice of the schedule is essential for planning․
Final Thoughts
School holidays in Singapore are different from public holidays․ Public holidays are generally celebrated across Singapore‚ while school holidays are breaks from classes that apply to students as well as teachers and other school staff members during the school year․ Knowing how they work can enable individuals and families to make the best of their time and holidays throughout the year.