It's Wednesday and How Come So Many Children Are Out Of School?

In France, Wednesday afternoons (or all day Wednesday) are often free, and this is when children usually pursue sporting and musical activities. Also at one time, they would attend school on Saturday for a ½ a day, that has been dropped, but teachers are asking for it to be brought back.
Packed lunches do not exist in France - the children eat school lunches or go home to eat, they have from 1 ½ to 2 hours. The school meals are usually of good quality.
The school hours, are the longest in the Western world, typically 9-4.30 at primary school and 9-5 at upper school (age 11-15).