New school timings from April 1

Ludhiana: In the wake of the soaring temperatures, the Punjab government on Wednesday ordered change in timings of all government and private-aided schools of the state from April 1.

The directions, issued by the state education department, stated that all primary, middle, higher and senior secondary schools would function from 8am to 2pm. “The district education officers, block primary education officers and school heads have been apprised of it,” said Sukhjeet Pal Singh, director, public instructions, secondary education, Punjab.

There is, however, no change in the timings of most of the private schools that start functioning at 7.20am.

Bhumika Sharma, whose two kids study in Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar, said, “My daughters’ school opened on March 26, with the 7.20am to 1.40pm timings. Their bus picks them up at 6.30am. It’s good that they are back home around 2pm, when the afternoon peaks.”

Sumit Sharma, whose son is an LKG student at BCM Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, said, “Private schools should also be directed to start functioning at 8am.”

Sukhdev, a student of Class XII at Government Senior Secondary School, Haibowal Kalan, said, “It is a welcome change as I prefer 8am to 2pm timings.”