‘Excessive, taxing’: Parents protest 7-hr long school days at DPS Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad: Over 300 parents staged a protest outside Delhi Public School (DPS) Ghaziabad on Saturday opposing the longer school timings introduced from the new academic session. The demonstration, held at the school gate, saw parents raising concerns over the management revising daily school hours to seven and calling it excessive and detrimental to the children’s well-being.As per the new schedule, junior classes now run from 8.30am to 3.30pm, while senior students attend school from 7.30am to 2.30pm. Parents argued that the longer duration is particularly taxing for younger children, leaving them exhausted and affecting their overall routine.“My son studies in Class 1, and earlier he would return home by around 2:30pm. Now he reaches home close to 4:30pm, completely drained,” said a protesting parent.

“He is too tired to play, eat properly or even complete his homework on time. At such a young age, children need rest and recreation, not such long academic hours. This change has disrupted his daily schedule entirely.”Another parent, whose daughter studies in Class 4, raised concerns over health and nutrition. “My child gets only one proper meal during school hours, and seven hours is too long for that. She often returns home hungry and complains of headaches and fatigue,” the parent said.

“We have already noticed health issues cropping up due to this prolonged schedule. Children cannot remain attentive for such long durations without proper breaks and meals.

”School authorities, however, defended the revised timings, stating that the decision was taken to ensure better academic coverage and structured learning. A school official said that the extension in hours is minimal and has been compensated for with regular short breaks between classes.“The school management has revised the schedule after careful consideration of academic requirements. The extension is marginal, aimed at allowing adequate time for syllabus completion and co-curricular engagement,” the official said. “To ensure that students do not feel burdened, a five-minute break has been incorporated between each class. The principal is also in active discussions with parents to address their concerns, and efforts are being made to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution.

”Meanwhile, district education authorities have taken note of the issue. Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) OP Yadav stated that the prescribed duration for school hours is generally six hours and assured that the matter would be examined.“Govt schools follow a six-hour schedule. We have received complaints from parents regarding the extended hours in this case. The matter will be reviewed, and appropriate action will be taken if required,” Yadav said.