Good Morning Britain viewers torn over four-day week for children at school

© ITV Susanna Reid discussed the topic with guests

ITV Good Morning Britain viewers were left divided over a discussion of children having a four-day week at school. The petition is due to be debated in Parliament on Monday.

During Monday’s instalment of GMB, guests discussed the matter with hosts Susanna Reid and Adil Ray. Author Marvyn Harrison – who is also a host of a parenting podcast and a dad – appeared as a guest and was in favour of changing the school week.

He argued: “If you look at the statistics, one in six young people say they need the break because they are having mental health challenges. We’ve really got to consider what they need and as adults not create a world which is just for us.”

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Susanna replied: “So you’re saying it’s a good idea because kids get more rest which makes them function better at school, that’s a good argument isn’t it?”

The other guest Gifty Enright – parenting expert, author and mum – said: “That’s not a good argument, school serves three functions, not just education but kids also have their social life there.”

Susanna suggested that many parents rely on school for childcare. Gifty added: “If we go to a four day week we will have to go to longer days, which will lead to more stress.”

Gifty went on to add about the stress that parents face about looking after children: “Also the underprivileged who need the warmth and security that you get at school.”

GMB viewers were also left divided on the topic. One viewer wrote: “Yes kids should have a 4 day week. School is intense, overwhelming and draining and children need more time for R&R. Anybody saying no just doesn’t want to look after their kids.”

But another said: “I work 5 days a week and I cannot afford to drop a day, what would I do? Generations before us have successfully done 5 school days a week (me and you included), it’s the real world, why do we feel the need to wrap up this generation’s kids in cotton wool??”

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