School timings as per norms: TS Govt

Hyderabad: In a major relief for school students and teachers, the Telangana State government on Wednesday issued an order to implement timings as per Right to Education (RTE) Act in all schools.

All schools under management of government, municipal, local bodies, welfare department, and private aided and recognised schools will now have to strictly adhere to 9 am to 4.30 pm timings. The order will be a checkmate for the corporate school which functions from 8 am to 6 pm.

According to the orders issued by the government, primary schools now should function from 9 am to 4 pm, while upper and high schools from 9 am to 4.30 pm. The government has increased the number of periods in primary and high schools. According to the revised schedule, 48 periods should be allotted for primary schools instead of 42 and 54 periods for high schools per week instead of 48. However, the government did not revise periods for the upper primary classes.

Although physical fitness is more important to the students, the government has cut down the number of periods allotted to physical education from six to three for upper and high school students. However, the government allotted more periods for physical education for primary schools.

It may be noted that the High Court directed the erstwhile AP government to ensure that schools close by 4.30 pm every day. Responding to the court’s directive, the united AP government had informed the court that State Council for Education Research and Training (SCERT) and experts also recommended that school should function between 9 am to 4.30 pm.

The court had also cautioned school managements that violation of timings would be taken seriously.