This paper analyzes the short- and medium-term effects of longer school days in primary education on students' learning and maternal labor supply. We use data that follows students and their parents from the moment they apply to primary school until they finish lower secondary school.
Longer school days lead to better scores in mathematics tests in grades 2 and 5, and in Italian tests in grade 2. They also have a positive and lasting impact on the labor force participation of mothers. Finally, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and low-educated mothers are less likely to make use of longer school days despite benefiting more from them.
