CHECKING ON STUDENTS DURING VACATION: 5 POWERFUL REASONS TEACHERS SHOULD STAY CONNECTED
School vacation is a time to rest, but it is also an opportunity for teachers to reflect, check on their pupils and prepare for a stronger return to the classroom.
Checking on students during vacation is something every teacher should think about when the school term comes to an end. The closing of school does not mean that the relationship between a teacher and the pupils suddenly becomes unimportant. In many ways, the vacation creates an opportunity to reflect on how students are doing beyond the classroom.
For many teachers, vacation is a welcome break after weeks of teaching, marking exercises, preparing lessons and managing classroom activities. Teachers deserve that rest. However, while taking a break, it is also worth asking an important question: Have you checked on your students since they went on vacation?
In a recent message, Atta Smart of Smart Teachers Avenue challenged teachers to think differently about the vacation period. His message raises an important point: teachers should not think only about pupils when they are physically present in school. Checking on their welfare and reflecting on their progress can also be part of responsible teaching.
CHECKING ON STUDENTS DURING VACATION: 1. THE SCHOOL BREAK IS A TIME TO REFLECT
During the school term, teachers are often occupied with completing the syllabus, preparing learners for examinations, marking assignments and ensuring that lessons are delivered. The pressure of daily school activities can leave little time to think deeply about the progress of individual pupils.
Vacation creates space for that reflection.
Which pupils struggled to understand certain topics? Who was frequently absent? Which learners appeared to be losing interest in school? Were there pupils who needed additional attention but did not receive enough support during the term?
These are questions teachers can reflect on before the next term begins.
READ RELATED RESOURCES HERE: TEACHERS SUSPEND STRIKE: 3 KEY ISSUES AND WHAT GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO
CHECKING ON STUDENTS DURING VACATION: 2. FIND OUT HOW YOUR PUPILS ARE DOING
A pupil’s life does not revolve around school alone. Family responsibilities, financial difficulties, illness and other personal circumstances can affect a learner’s attendance, concentration and performance.
A simple, respectful check-in can help a teacher understand whether a pupil is doing well or facing a challenge.
Depending on the circumstances, a teacher might contact a parent or guardian, speak with a pupil through an appropriate communication channel or make a brief welfare inquiry through established school procedures.
The purpose is not to monitor pupils unnecessarily or invade their privacy. It is to show appropriate concern and identify situations where support or follow-up may be needed.
Teachers should also respect professional boundaries, safeguarding requirements and the privacy of learners. Any home visit or direct contact should be appropriate, safe and consistent with school procedures.
CHECKING ON STUDENTS DURING VACATION: 3. HELP LEARNERS RETURN READY TO LEARN
Long breaks can interrupt learning routines. Some pupils continue reading and practising, while others may spend the entire vacation away from books and schoolwork.
Teachers can encourage learners to maintain simple habits without turning their holiday into another school term.
A short message reminding pupils to read, revise difficult topics or practise basic skills may be helpful. Teachers can also encourage parents and guardians to support reasonable reading routines where circumstances allow.
This does not mean assigning pupils a heavy workload during every vacation. The aim is to encourage a healthy balance between rest, recreation, family responsibilities and learning.
READ RELATED RESOURCES HERE: RURAL TEACHERS’ SIDE INCOME: 7 SMART WAYS TO TURN A RURAL POSTING INTO AN OPPORTUNITY
CHECKING ON STUDENTS DURING VACATION: 4. USE THE BREAK TO PLAN BETTER LESSONS
Checking on pupils is only one part of making good use of the vacation. Teachers can also use the period to review their own teaching and prepare for the next term.
If several learners struggled with a particular topic, the teacher can consider a different explanation, additional examples or more practical activities. If attendance was a recurring concern, it may be useful to plan how to identify and address it earlier.
The vacation also provides an opportunity to organise teaching materials, review assessment results and prepare schemes of learning and lesson plans.
The objective is not to spend every day working. A teacher who returns rested and prepared may be better positioned to support learners effectively.
DETAILED LESSON PLANS & SCHEMES OF WORK
Get detailed lesson plans and Schemes of Work for Nursery, KG, Primary, JHS and SHS to help you prepare, plan and teach effectively.
CHECKING ON STUDENTS DURING VACATION: 5. SHOW THAT YOU STILL CARE ABOUT THEIR PROGRESS
Sometimes, a small act of concern can make a difference. A pupil who receives an appropriate check-in may feel remembered and encouraged, particularly when the learner has struggled academically or experienced difficulties during the term.
Teachers should not assume that every pupil needs the same kind of support. Some may benefit from encouragement to read, others may need a conversation with their parents or guardians, and some may require further attention when school reopens.
The important thing is to approach learners with respect, kindness and professional judgement.
Checking on students during vacation should not become a competition among teachers or another burden placed on already tired educators. It should be a thoughtful way of maintaining appropriate concern for the children entrusted to their care.
END-OF-TERM EXAMINATIONS FROM CRECHE TO SHS
Get quality End-of-Term Examination Questions with Marking Schemes for learners from Creche to SHS, carefully prepared to support effective assessment.
CHECKING ON STUDENTS DURING VACATION: WHAT CAN YOU DO THIS WEEK?
You do not need a complicated plan to begin.
Take a few minutes to review your class records and identify pupils who may need follow-up. Where appropriate, contact a parent or guardian to ask how the child is doing. Encourage learners to maintain simple reading habits, and make a note of the academic issues you want to address when school resumes.
If you teach a large class, you may need to prioritise pupils who experienced persistent absenteeism, academic difficulties or other concerns. Follow your school’s procedures when a situation requires further attention.
At the same time, remember that vacation is also important for your own health, family life and personal development. Meaningful follow-up does not require constant messaging or sacrificing your entire break.
READ RELATED RESOURCES HERE: TEACHER CARE FOR LEARNERS: WHY HOW YOU TREAT A CHILD MATTERS
CHECKING ON STUDENTS DURING VACATION: HAVE YOU CHECKED ON YOUR PUPILS?
As teachers enjoy their vacation, one question deserves attention: have you taken a moment to find out how your pupils are doing?
The message from Atta Smart is a reminder to look beyond the school calendar. Vacation offers an opportunity to rest, reflect, plan and, where appropriate, check on learners who may need encouragement or support.
A teacher’s responsibility should be exercised with professional boundaries and respect for personal time. Still, the end of a term need not mean the end of all concern for pupils’ progress.
So, have you checked on your students during this vacation? Share your thoughts in the comments. What practical ways do you use to keep in touch with your pupils or their parents during school breaks?
Share your experience and ideas in the comments. Your strategy could help another teacher take the first step.
Follow Smart Teachers Avenue on Facebook, TikTok and YouTube for practical teacher development, professional growth and financial education.
YOU CAN CONTACT US ON ↓
📞 Phone: +233 503910155 / +233233910155
📧 Email: info.teachersavenue@gmail.com
💬 WhatsApp: Click Here To WhatsApp Us
Follow Smart Teachers Avenue and Stay connected with us for daily educational resources, financial education, teaching tips and school leadership insights.
📘 Facebook – FOLLOW HERE
🎵 TikTok – FOLLOW HERE
▶️ YouTube – SUBSCRIBE HERE
✈️ Telegram Channel – JOIN HERE
👥 Telegram Community Chat: – JOIN HERE
👥 Facebook Community Chat: – JOIN HERE
WhatsApp Channel – FOLLOW HERE for daily updates, teaching resources and exclusive educational content.
Join our growing community of teachers across Ghana and beyond who trust Smart Teachers Avenue as their preferred platform for teaching resources, professional development, financial education and school leadership.
