Maharashtra Schools To Open Later For Pre-primary To Class 4 Students

Maharashtra state government orders schools to start at or after 9 AM for children up to Class 4, aiming to improve sleep and attention.

Waking up and getting ready between 6:30 AM and 7 AM is a struggle for many children. Considering this, the state government has decided that schools for children from pre-primary to Class 4 will now open at or after 9 AM. On June 19, education officers issued orders regarding this new timing to all medium and management schools in the district.

At present, the government does not seem to be in a mood to change this decision. Notably, this order will not be applicable to Zilla Parishad schools in Maharashtra, which run from 9:40 AM to 4 PM. However, aided and unaided private schools will have to make changes to their timings.

It remains to be seen whether private English-medium schools will change their schedules. At present, many children are seen sleeping during school hours due to insufficient sleep. Before the Maharashtra government, Governor Ramesh Bais had raised this issue and instructed the education department to open schools up to Class 4 after 9 AM.

Following these instructions from the Governor, the government issued a circular on February 8, 2023. The purpose of this new timing is to ensure that children get enough sleep and pay more attention during school hours. The change in school timings is expected to benefit children greatly.

Parents and teachers hope that starting school later will improve children's overall health and academic performance.