Chhattisgarh Government Changes Saturday School Hours, Sparking Controversy

The Chhattisgarh government has modified the school schedule for Saturdays, which is a first since independence, including changes to the activities conducted on that day. The alterations include moving yoga and exercise to the afternoon, after lunch. Previously, Saturday classes ran from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The new instructions set the hours from 10 AM to 4 PM. Teacher leaders are criticizing this change as impractical and are calling for a return to the previous Saturday schedule. Physical education, yoga, and exercise are best done on an empty stomach in the morning. The leaders feel that this is important, as the morning is the most suitable time for such activities. The new timings are deemed a challenge to students’ holistic development. The government is requested to make a clear decision. The importance of exercise, yoga, and pranayama for children is highlighted, and the morning time is considered most suitable for these activities because they are best performed on an empty stomach. 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.