Many parents have raised concerns that children today stay awake until late at night—sometimes even past midnight—despite having early morning school schedules. This shift in sleep patterns has begun to affect students’ health, lifestyle, and academic performance due to inadequate rest.
In response, Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais recently suggested that the state government consider modifying school timings to ensure students get sufficient sleep. The proposal has sparked an important debate on the role of rest in children’s overall well-being and academic success.
In an exclusive interaction, the Mumbai Live team spoke to educationists and school authorities across Mumbai and Maharashtra to understand the potential advantages and challenges of such a move.
Welcoming the idea, Dr. Maithili Tambe, CEO of The Academy School, said, “Sleep is often overlooked, with students and parents prioritising academic achievements over adequate rest. However, research shows that lack of sleep can lead to difficulty concentrating, reduced cognitive function, and even mental health issues. This initiative not only aims to enhance academic performance but also promotes overall well-being among students.”
However, Kavita Chatterjee, Vice President – Academics, Orchids The International School, expressed reservations. “Good sleep certainly improves a student’s academic performance and overall well-being, but merely changing school timings will not solve the problem. It may create logistical challenges for families, disrupt after-school activities, and clash with parents’ work schedules. Longer commute times may exhaust students further, and delayed school hours do not guarantee better sleep if children continue late-night screen use,” she noted.
Echoing similar concerns, Green Acres Academy Chairman Rohan Parikh said, “Scientific evidence shows that children’s sleep patterns change with age, and I agree that school timings are earlier than ideal. However, implementing a uniform change across an entire city may not be feasible due to multiple operational constraints.”
Experts also highlighted the role of parental guidance and lifestyle choices. Encouraging adolescents to follow healthy sleep routines requires discipline and consistent role modelling. However, with adults themselves working long hours and spending late nights on screens, children often mirror these habits.
“The new-age lifestyle, marked by excessive exposure to electronic gadgets and media, has significantly increased screen time, disrupting children’s sleep patterns,” said Anshu Saxena, Principal, Ryan International School, Dombivli. “The saying ‘early to bed and early to rise’ holds true across generations. Instead of altering school timings, we need to rewire our lifestyles and adopt a balanced approach to improve children’s health.”
In addition to school timings, Governor Bais also suggested introducing no-book days and expanding the use of e-books to reduce the heavy weight of school bags. With children increasingly consuming knowledge online—especially after the pandemic—access to engaging e-books, audiobooks, and videobooks could offer an alternative learning medium.
Supporting this transition, Chatterjee said, “As we move towards a more tech-enabled society, this shift is inevitable. E-books offer interactive features that can enhance comprehension and retention. However, we must be mindful of when and how they are introduced, as excessive screen time can lead to digital eye strain and other health concerns.”
Dr. Tambe added, “While transitioning to e-books may require initial investment and changes in teaching methods, the long-term benefit of reducing physical strain on children’s bodies makes it a worthwhile consideration.”
However, Saxena cautioned against introducing e-books too early. “E-books may be suitable for higher classes, but not during the formative years. Increased screen time is detrimental to children’s health. To reduce bag weight, schools can instead provide cubbies or lockers on campus.”
As discussions continue, experts agree that any changes—whether to school timings or learning formats—must be guided by scientific evidence, practical feasibility, and a careful evaluation of their impact on students’ academic performance and overall well-being.