The Dutch education council Onderwijsraad says that if the government does not reopen schools after the May holidays, the summer break should be cut short to help make up for lost time.

The council has drawn up three proposals. One would involve moving the summer break forward and starting the next school year during the traditional summer months.

The second would be to reduce the length of the summer holiday, so schools would reopen earlier and the third involves stretching the school day to 5pm.

The council also says it is concerned about children who do not have access to a laptop so they can work remotely, and children who are not safe at home. It recommends these children should be able to go to school, alongside the children of people doing essential jobs.

The government is due to announce on April 21 whether or not schools can open again.