Pre-primary to Class 4 sessions only at 9 am or later in Maharashtra

In December 2023, Governor Ramesh Bais had suggested a change in school timing, while inaugurating various schemes launched by the school education department. “Everyone’s sleep timings have changed in recent times. Many children are awake even after midnight. Yet they have to wake up early to attend school. This results in inadequate sleep for children that calls for changes in school timings,” he had said.

Acknowledging the aspects pointed out by the Governor, the GR states, “Considering the changed lifestyles, various modern entertainment devices and a city life that continues with all kinds of noises till late in the night; children along with people at large are sleeping late. This is causing a negative effect on their physical and mental health.”

The GR also talks about struggles of parents for early morning school, including travel woes during fog and rain.

The move has, however, irked stakeholders, including parents. president of India Wide Parents Association, Anubha Sahay, said, “Early morning school is preferred by many considering their own work timings. Also, because it gives children ample time after school to rest and take part in extra-curricular activities. School timing is completely a decision to be taken by the school and parents. The state should not interfere.”

Stating that parents do insist on early timing so that children can go to school before they go to office, Dr Swati Popat, president of Early Childhood Association and Association for Primary Education and Research, said, “What if the school timing is 8.30am and all the bus and other logistics like second shift, etc., are in place? Will a leeway of 30 minutes be allowed.”

Change in timing would impact on day-to-day functioning of schools, said Kavita Agarwal, chairperson of Members of International School Association (MISA), adding, “School timings are bringing discipline to children. Government should instead encourage parents to ensure that their children sleep early.”

She also pointed out that some schools have multiple sessions of pre-primary classes which are only for 2-3 hours and thus are required to start early.

According to the GR, the decision is a result of the study conducted by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) by inviting suggestions from various stakeholders, including educationists and parents.

“If there was a survey why it was not in public domain and nobody knows about it,” questioned Sahay.

Stating that this decision does not impact government and aided schools, which already have pre-primary and primary classes after 10am, Mahendra Ganapule, spokesperson for Maharashtra School Principals’ Association, said, “In case of school timings, the regulation cannot be one that fits all. It is based on local conditions and parents’ requirements. And that is why there are several private schools running with different timings.”

The GR states that for schools where it is absolutely indispensable to change timings, they can discuss the issues with local education officers and take required decisions accordingly.