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Government schools to start at 9

Bangalore: All government schools within the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike limits will start at 9 a.m. from the coming academic year, half an hour ahead of the present schedule. All aided and private schools will start at 8.30 a.m.

A high-level meeting convened by T.M. Vijay Bhaskar, Secretary, Primary and Secondary Education, decided on the revised schedule to ease traffic congestion during peak hour and ensure children’s safety. The meeting was attended by senior officers of the traffic police and Education Department, representatives of school managements and teachers.

Mr. Bhaskar told The Hindu that a circular issued in 2005 had made it mandatory for all English-medium private schools to start at 8.30 a.m. and the latest decision would bring all schools under an early-start schedule.

Commissioner of Public Instruction G. Kumar Naik said although children going to government schools did not add to the traffic congestion because most of them walked to school, the changed timings would ensure safety of those who need to cross arterial roads.

Karnataka State Government Primary Teachers’ Association has taken exception to the changed timings stating that it was not in the interest of students.

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