The move ensures compliance with the RTE Act’s requirement of 1,100 instructional hours and 220 working days annually, with necessary adjustments to period durations and break timings
Published Jun 11, 2025 | 10:53 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 11, 2025 | 10:53 PM
Kerala Government extends school hours for classes VIII–X to meet RTE norms
Synopsis: The Kerala government has extended daily school hours by 30 minutes for Classes VIII to X in state syllabus schools (excluding Fridays), aiming to meet the RTE-mandated 1,100 instructional hours. Revised timings are 9.45 am to 4.15 pm. Six Saturdays will also be working days. The decision follows a High Court directive and expert panel recommendation to ensure adequate teaching time.
The Kerala government has announced an extension of school hours by 30 minutes daily for Classes VIII to X in all state syllabus schools, except on Fridays.
The revised timings—effective immediately—will be from 9.45 am to 4.15 pm, with 15 minutes added to both morning and afternoon sessions.
The decision aims to fulfil the Right to Education (RTE) Act mandate of 1,100 instructional hours and 220 working days annually. Period and break schedules will be adjusted accordingly.
In addition, six Saturdays—July 26, August 16, October 4, October 25, January 3, and January 31—have been declared working days for Classes VIII to X. For Classes V to VII, only July 26 and October 25 will be working Saturdays. There will be no schedule changes for Classes I to IV.
The move follows a Kerala High Court directive to review the academic calendar. A five-member expert panel subsequently recommended the time extension to ensure adequate teaching hours across the academic year.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
