The Impact of the 5 Day School Policy: Can Local Tourism Rise Again?

This study examines the impact of the Five Day School policy on local tourism in North Sumatra, integrating perspectives from international educational theories and Indonesian education experts. Implemented in accordance with Minister of Education and Culture Regulation No. 23 of 2017, the policy mandates approximately eight hours of study per day from Monday to Friday, aiming to improve learning effectiveness, foster self-development, and stimulate domestic tourism through extended weekends. The research adopts a qualitative case study approach, involving in depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis with stakeholders from the education and tourism sectors. Findings reveal that the policy presents both opportunities and challenges across psychological, social, curricular, infrastructural, institutional, religious, economic, and regulatory dimensions. While the condensed weekly schedule may support tourism growth and extracurricular engagement, prolonged daily hours risk fatigue and reduced learning efficiency if not managed effectively. Expert insights from Bjork, Dewey, Sweller, Rosyada, and Shihab emphasize the importance of balancing instructional time, meaningful activities, rest periods, and socio-cultural considerations. This study’s novelty lies in connecting educational policy analysis with tourism development and socio-cultural dynamics at the provincial level. The findings offer strategic recommendations for aligning educational reforms with local economic revitalization while preserving cultural and community values.