Set earlier recess time for primary schoolkids

I READ with delight that the Education Ministry would be giving free breakfast to primary school children next year. This is indeed a step towards caring for our future generation and lightening the burden of families.

Equally important, I think, is for the ministry to adjust the timing of morning recess in schools. Recess is now mostly set within the 9.30am to 10am time frame, with some schools having it a little earlier or even a little later. I think this is really too late and not healthy for the children, many of whom do not have their breakfast either due to the early hours or the rush to go to school. For the first three to four hours in school, these children have to go without proper food in their stomach. This is detrimental to their health as their growing bodies have to adjust their metabolism accordingly.

When recess time comes, they only have 20 minutes to get to the canteen, queue up, buy their food and find a place to sit and eat, go to the toilet and get back to class before the bell rings. They end up gobbling their food, which creates bad eating habits (eating quickly, not chewing properly).

It has been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I therefore hope the Education Ministry would change the recess time to be not later than 8am to allow children to have breakfast.

JANCY OH SUAN TIN Klang