The Maharashtra government has announced that all schools in the state, regardless of their board affiliation, will have to start classes for pre-primary to standard IV at 9 am or later from the academic year 2024-25. The move is aimed at ensuring adequate and quality sleep for young students, whose health and enthusiasm have been affected by the changing lifestyle and environment.
The government resolution, issued by the school education department on Thursday, cited a study by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) that sought inputs from various stakeholders, including parents and educationists, on the issue of school timings. The resolution also referred to the suggestion made by Governor Ramesh Bais in December last year, who had expressed his concern over the lack of proper sleep for children due to late-night activities and noise.
The resolution stated that the new timings will not affect the teaching hours prescribed by the Right to Education Act 2009, and that schools will have to adjust their schedules accordingly. It also said that schools that face difficulty in changing their timings can approach the district education officer for a solution.
The decision has been welcomed by many parents and teachers, who said that it will help the students to be more alert and attentive in the classes, and also reduce their stress and fatigue. Some experts, however, cautioned that the change in timings alone will not be enough to improve the sleep quality and health of the students, and that other factors, such as screen time, diet, physical activity, and family support, also need to be considered.
