The state government has altered school timings on Saturdays for the first time since independence, along with significant changes to the day’s activities. The new schedule shifts morning yoga and exercise to the afternoon, after lunch. Previously, schools operated on Saturdays from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. According to the new directives, schools will now run from 10 AM to 4 PM. Teacher leaders are criticizing the order as impractical and are demanding a return to the original Saturday school schedule. Virendra Dubey, President of the Chhattisgarh School Teachers’ Association, emphasizes the importance of holistic child development, including physical, mental, moral, and skill-based education. He believes that morning is the most suitable time for yoga, pranayama, and exercise, as these activities are best done on an empty stomach. The new schedule’s impact on these activities is a concern.
