The idea of changing the school timing to avoid traffic jams has drawn mixed response. While a few parents and school managements have welcomed the idea, a few others have expressed their reservations.

One advantage of this proposal is students can return home early. When Deccan Herald spoke to a few parents they pointed out that the change in timing will make students get up early in the morning, which was good for health.

The founder president of the Bank Employees’ Welfare Forum Anantha Padmanabha, who is a resident of Nrupathunga Nagar in JP Nagar 8th Phase,believed that the change in school timing will help to reduce traffic snarls during peak hours. He said that school buses add too much to the messy traffic scene in the city and if the school buses leave early, the traffic problem could be reduced to an extent.

The secretary of the Jayanagar IV Block Residents’ Welfare Association Ravishankar not only welcomed the move but also insisted that schools should start at 7 am, giving much time to parents to drop their children.

However, Rajaneesh, a resident of Hanumanthanagar, looked at the order in a different light. He said that starting school early in the morning would mean student returning home early.

“For working couple it would be risky to see children returning early as there would not be anyone to monitor their activities,” he said. He feared that in the absence of guardians at home, children may be exposed to several evils of society.

But, the DCP of Traffic (West) Panduranga H Rane advocated starting of schools early.

He viewed that traffic may not be a big problem on the outskirts but the central areas of the city needed this change in school timing.