Early timing for city schools

Early timing for city schools
Move To Decongest Traffic Dedicated Buses To Ferry Kids
The Times of India

Bangalore: Get set to wake up early to go to school. In a move aimed at easing Bangalore’s choking traffic and ensuring safety of schoolchildren, the education department has decided to stagger school timing for all schools — government, corporation, aided and unaided — in Bangalore.
There are 1,300 government schools in Bangalore North and South districts, including panchayats and about 2 lakh children studying in these schools.
Based on the recommendation of the chief secretary-headed Empowered Committee on Infrastructure, the education department along with traffic police and BMTC has taken up a survey to map how every student in the city goes to school. Once the plan is ready, the proposal will be sent to government for approval.
“The study will cover eight blocks in Bangalore, where block education officers will collect data on school timing, mode of transport and distance between school and home. CBSE/ICSE schools start classes by 8.30 am, but others including government schools begin around 10 am. We are exploring the possibility of having a uniform school timing,’’ commissioner for public instruction Madan Gopal told TOI.
During the preliminary meeting of the officials from various departments several timings were discussed. Among them was a suggestion to operate schools between 8 am and 2.30 pm or 8.30 am and 3.30 pm. BMTC has come forward to operate dedicated school buses for students from all schools.
“Our buses are highly under-utilised before 8 am and during afternoons. We will be too happy to re-route our services. Currently only 39 schools have hired 200 buses for ferrying students. Once the traffic matrix is ready we will run dedicated buses to ply schoolchildren safely,’’ Dastagir Sharief, chief traffic manager, BMTC, said.
Though the education department has asked English-medium schools in Bangalore to open by 8.30 am, the rule is not adhered to. “Most parents were willing but they were worried that there would be nobody at home to take care of them when they returned early,’’ Gopal said.
This time, with government and aided schools also being considered for staggered timing, the department faces some problems. “If we ask government schools to start early we also need to change the timing of the mid-day meal. Since a lot of children travel by autorickshaws, a dedicated bus service could hamper their business. So before fixing the timing we will consult teachers, parents and school associations.’’
THE PLAN
Staggered timing for all schools, including government schools, in Bangalore from Class 1 to 10. PU/degree colleges to be spared Survey to find out school timing and how each student goes to school If all goes well, timing will change from next academic year Dedicated bus service only for schoolchildren
BUT...
Parents may oppose move as taking care of children who return early will be a problem Dedicated buses to affect autorickshaws which ferry schoolchildren Mid-day meal timing will have to be advanced. Teachers and school managements will have to be taken into confidence