Lesdagen

Lesdagen is a Dutch term that denotes the days on which formal teaching takes place at schools and other educational institutions. The word is a compound of les (lesson) and dagen (days) and is used in administrative calendars, timetables, and communications to distinguish instructional days from days off.

In primary and secondary education in the Netherlands and Flanders, a typical school week consists of several lesdagen, with the exact pattern varying by school and year. Days without lessons include holidays, school breaks, and in-service days for staff. In higher education, lesdagen usually refer to scheduled lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, while days reserved for exams or study may be described differently. The term helps organize calendars, rosters, and planning for students, parents, and staff. Variants such as halve dagen (half-days) or after-school programs may also be included within lesdagen in some institutions.