The Karnataka government has revised school timings for Urdu-medium institutions during the month of Ramzan for the 2025-26 academic year. The change affects primary, upper primary, and high schools across the state. State Home Minister G. Parameshwara defended the decision, stating it aims for equality among students.
Revised Ramzan School Schedule
The updated timings apply to all government, aided, and unaided Urdu-medium schools. This revision follows a review of existing orders and a representation from the Karnataka State Primary School Education Association. A government circular, made public on Monday, detailed the changes.
Previously, a standing order from October 31, 2002, permitted Urdu-medium schools to operate only from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. during Ramzan. The government examined this order in light of new regulations.
The new schedule comes into effect from the commencement of Ramzan until March 20, 2026 . The exact daily schedule will be communicated to all concerned institutions. This adjustment considers the observance of Ramzan and long-standing provisions for Urdu-medium schools.
Government Justification
Minister G. Parameshwara stated the move is intended to bring Urdu-medium children to an equal footing with others. He compared the initiative to constitutional provisions for reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and backward classes.
“If somebody is not equal to you in all terms, like SC/ST why do you think a reservation was given to SC/STs in the Constitution from the beginning?” Parameshwara questioned. He added, “Don’t you want them to become equal to others and build an equal society?”
The minister described the timing change as a form of encouragement from the government. He asserted that intolerance towards such measures indicates opposition to equality.