PCMC Enforces Revised School Start Times for Better Student Sleep Schedules
Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri Chinchwad, 28th June 2024: In response to the disruptions caused by modern lifestyle changes to students’ sleep schedules, the School Education and Sports Department of the Government of Maharashtra revised school start times to ensure students get adequate rest. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Education Department has issued a letter to all private and PCMC schools to enforce this change.
Despite this directive, it has been observed that private schools in Pimpri Chinchwad continue to open at 7 AM, ignoring the government order. The Department of School Education and Sports, Government of Maharashtra, issued a circular on 8th February 2024, outlining new start times for classes from pre-primary to class 4 across all mediums and management schools. This circular was published on the government website and copies were sent to the Education Commissioner and the Directors of Primary, Secondary, and Higher Secondary Education.
Although the new academic year’s directive mandates schools to start at 9 AM, many schools still open at 7 AM. The PCMC Education Department has now sent another letter to the principals of private schools emphasizing the mandated start times. The government order states that if school management cannot comply with the new timings, they should report the issue to the education department for guidance and a proper decision.
Approximately 45 schools under PCMC are in the process of changing their start times, while the schedules for the remaining schools have already been adjusted. Sangeeta Bangar, the Administration Officer of the PCMC Education Department, stated that letters will be issued again to private schools to ensure compliance with the government order.
