‘Start schools late so kids may rest’

Education institutes should start after 9am as early timings make children prone to sleep deprivation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in the process of passing a law where no high school would start before 10am, so that students get sufficient sleep. Taking a cue from this, child development specialists in Mumbai have once again raked up the need to not start schools before 9am.

Most schools in Mumbai begin classes as early as 7.30am. This deprives students of the sleep that they need to stay healthy.

Experts say kids need at least nine to 12 hours of sleep but barely get six because of early school. So, most children doze off during class hours and don’t really learn anything, complained educators.

Although many schools said that they have kept afternoon shifts for primary students, psychologists said that teenagers also need adequate sleep as they go through puberty. “Adolescents go through hormonal changes and need more sleep than adults,” said Shalet Fernandes, a clinical psychologist.

“Sleep deprivation can affect a student’s cognitive and academic performance,” said Dr Samir Dalwai, developmental paediatrician,new Horizons Development Centre, Goregaon.

Experts suggested that the education department can adopt policies that will help schools start late. “Through school buses and admission policies, we can ensure that students go to schools close to their homes,” said Francis Joseph, education consultant from the School Leaders Network.

In 2010, a clause was inserted

in the draft rules of the Right to Education Act, that primary schools shouldn’t start before 8am, but it was later removed.

Principals argued that they begin classes early to avoid traffic. “We start school early as there is less traffic before 8am,”

said Meera Isaacs, principal, Cathedral and John Connon School, Fort.

“We have too many students and need double shifts,” said Father Gregory Noronha, manager, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour School, Chembur.