Maharashtra schools to begin sessions at 9 AM for pre-primary to class 4 students

In a significant move, the Maharashtra government issued a directive on Thursday mandating that all pre-primary and primary schools up to Class 4, whether public or private, commence classes from 9 am onward starting from the upcoming Academic Year (2024-2025).

This decision is aimed at safeguarding the health of students

The decision, announced in a circular issued by the School Education & Sports Department, comes over two months after Governor Ramesh Bais had raised concerns over the early morning schools for the children, who are below the age of 10.

The government's move was prompted after studying the timing change proposals and conducting a survey among parents and teachers, academic experts and others, who had expressed the need to reconsider the early school hours - from 7 a.m. in cities and rural areas.

While saying that most schools should not face difficulties in adhering to the teaching hours prescribed in the Right to Education Act, 2009, the circular advised those school management facing problems in this should approach the District Education Officer concerned to work out a solution.

The circular pointed out some pre-primary/primary schools are starting their classes from 7 a.m. onwards which was adversely affecting the health of the children.

The reasons for this are attributed to changed lifestyles in the modern era, sophisticated means of entertainment, social, cultural, and religious aspects that make people retire late.