Bihar brings back half-day Saturdays for government schools

The Bihar Education Department has restored half-day Saturdays in government schools from August 8. Schools will function from 9:30 am to 1 pm on Saturdays, while weekday timings remain unchanged at 9:30 am to 4 pm.Bihar schools get half-day Saturdays as Education Department revises timings (representative image)The Bihar Education Department has reinstated the half-day schedule for government schools on Saturdays, restoring a system that had been in place for years before being discontinued.According to an official order issued by the Directorate of Secondary Education on Thursday, all government schools in the state will function from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, however, schools will operate only from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.Speaking to reporters at Patna's Madan Mohan Auditorium on Thursday, Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari said Chief Minister Samrat had announced the restoration of the half-day Saturday schedule in government schools. He added that the Education Department had accepted the decision and completed all necessary preparations, as per media reports.REVISED SATURDAY SCHEDULEThe new timetable will come into effect from Saturday, August 8, and will be applicable to all government schools across Bihar. As per the order, students of Classes 1 to 8 will be dismissed after lunch at 12:40 pm, while students of Classes 9 to 12 will be relieved at 1:00 pm.The Education Department said all government schools in the state will observe the revised half-day schedule every Saturday, after which the weekend holiday will begin.The move marks the return of the earlier Saturday half-day system that had been followed in Bihar government schools for several years before it was withdrawn midway. With the latest directive, the state has restored the previous practice for all government schools.- EndsPublished On: Aug 6, 2026 16:31 IST