Karnataka Government Announces Temporary School Schedule Changes for Ramzan

With the onset of the holy month of Ramzan, the Karnataka government has announced temporary changes to school schedules to support students and staff observing the fast. The Directorate of Urdu and Other Minority Languages has issued an official order revising school timings for Urdu medium institutions and granting limited relaxations to Muslim students and teachers in other schools. The move is in line with long-standing administrative practices followed during Ramzan and aims to balance religious observance with academic continuity. Revised Timings For Urdu Medium Schools As per the order, government, aided, and unaided Urdu medium primary and high schools will function only during morning hours throughout the Ramzan period. Instead of the regular state curriculum schedule of 10:00 am to 4:20 pm, these schools will operate from 8:00 am to 12:45 pm. Officials said the early schedule is intended to reduce physical strain on fasting students and staff, particularly during the hotter afternoon hours. The revised timings will remain in effect only for the duration of Ramzan, after which schools will return to their regular schedules. Detailed Period-wise Timetable During Ramzan The Directorate has also issued a structured, period-wise timetable to be followed strictly by Urdu medium schools during the fasting month. School authorities have been instructed to follow this timetable uniformly across all Urdu medium institutions during Ramzan. Early Leave Permission for Muslim Students and Staff The circular also extends relief to Muslim students and staff studying or working in other government, aided, and unaided schools across Karnataka. During Ramzan, they will be permitted to leave the school premises 30 minutes earlier than usual. This concession applies only for the fasting month and does not alter the general timetable for other students or staff members. Education officials clarified that the permission is meant to help those observing fasts manage their physical well-being during the day. Academic Hours to Be Compensated While the working hours during Ramzan have been reduced, the department has made it clear that there should be no long-term impact on academic instruction. Schools have been directed to compensate for the loss of instructional hours by adding working days later in the academic calendar. School managements have been asked to plan these adjustments carefully to ensure syllabus completion without burdening students. Examination Schedule to Remain Unchanged The government has also clarified that examination schedules will not be affected by these changes. The fixed timetable for SSLC examinations, as well as exams for classes 5 and 8 scheduled in 2026, will be followed strictly without any modification. Officials reiterated that the revised timings are a temporary measure applicable only during Ramzan. Once the fasting month concludes, all schools will resume their regular schedules as per the state action plan. For parents and students, the advisory remains simple: stay informed, follow school-level instructions, and note that academic continuity will be maintained despite the temporary changes. (Reported By: Pragathi Shetty, News18 Kannada, Bengaluru)