The Chhattisgarh government has altered school timings on Saturdays for the first time since independence, and along with it, made changes to activities scheduled for the day. A key adjustment involves shifting yoga and exercise from the morning to the afternoon. Students will now engage in these activities after lunch. Previously, schools operated on Saturdays from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. According to the new directives, classes will now be held from 10 AM to 4 PM. Teacher leaders are deeming this order impractical and are advocating for schools to continue operating on Saturdays under the previous schedule. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of this change on activities like physical education, yoga, and exercise, which are typically conducted in the morning.
The aim of education is the holistic development of children, encompassing not just academic learning, but also physical, mental, moral, behavioral, skill-based, and self-reliance education. Regular exercise strengthens the body, while yoga and pranayama promote balance, health, and mental development. These practices are best done on an empty stomach in the morning. The decision to start school later has faced criticism. The implementation of these new timings has been deemed impractical and detrimental to children’s overall development, particularly affecting physical activities. The leaders advocate for the reinstatement of morning classes on Saturdays to ensure the continuation of these crucial activities, emphasizing that the morning is the most suitable time for these activities.