Physical education and art classes in Maharashtra schools may become an hour longer - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Physical education and art classes in Maharashtra schools may become an hour longer

Hindustan Times | By, Mumbai
Jul 19, 2017 11:43 PM IST

Mumbai city news: Extra-curricular subjects are important for students as they impart life skills and provide a break from the academic rigmarole, said teachers

The state’s school education department may increase the duration of art and physical education classes in Maharashtra schools by an hour to give students more time to develop their creative and athletic skills.

Unfortunately, many schools use time allocated for art and physical education for other subjects.(HT FILE)
Unfortunately, many schools use time allocated for art and physical education for other subjects.(HT FILE)

A delegation of teachers from across Maharashtra met education minister Vinod Tawde to demand more teaching time for these subjects. Currently, there are two-three sessions of art and physical education a week, which teachers said was insufficient.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Extra-curricular subjects are important for students as they impart life skills and provide a break from the academic rigmarole, said teachers. “After hours of continuous study, extra-curricular subjects help rejuvenate students’ minds. They make the day lighter and more enjoyable,” said Anil Bornare, a senior teacher from Swami Muktananda High School, Chembur.

Unfortunately, many schools use time allocated for art and physical education for other subjects. “This leaves students without any breathing space,” said Bornare.

Tawde said the department will look into this problem and ensure that schools do not use classes meant for extra-curricular subjects to teach anything else. “The teachers presented a variety of issues in our meeting, which lasted for one-and-a-half hours,” said Tawde. “We heard their complaints and will soon work out a plan to extend the duration of the classes by at least an hour.”

At the beginning of the academic year, the department made major changes to school timetables for classes 1 to 10. The number of periods was reduced to 45 from 50, but their duration was extended by 5-10 minutes.

The first period,which used be 30 minutes long, now lasts 40 minutes. The rest are 35 minutes each.

Some teachers said finding an extra hour would be difficult. “Increasing the duration of periods to 40 minutes did not affect us much because the number of periods was also reduced. But if the state adds an extra hour for extra-curricular subjects our day might become longer,” said Uday Nare, teacher, Hansraj Morarji Public School, Andheri.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections.Watch now!

Get latest news on Education, Bihar Board Result, CBSE Board Result 2024 along with Board Exam, Competitive Exam and Exam Result at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Special correspondent with Hindustan Times, covering education for the last seven years. Always learning.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On