The Department of School Education and Literacy, Karnataka, has revised the timings for government and aided schools across the state to facilitate the completion of the ongoing Social and Educational Survey, also known as the caste census. The survey, which was earlier expected to conclude on Tuesday, may be extended further following a request from the Backward Classes Welfare Department, which cited the need for more time to complete data collection.

I am writing about this because the revision of school timings affects lakhs of students and teachers across Karnataka, particularly at a time when schools are reopening after the Dasara holidays. The survey, considered one of the largest of its kind in the state, aims to collect socio-economic data to shape welfare and reservation policies. However, it has also created additional workload for teachers, many of whom are serving as enumerators. Understanding the schedule change and its purpose is essential for parents, educators, and administrators as the education and survey systems temporarily overlap.

New Timings Announced for Schools

According to the official memo dated October 6, all government and aided schools in Karnataka will operate on revised timings from October 8, when they reopen after the Dasara break.

In Greater Bengaluru, schools will function from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm between October 8 and October 24, 2025. Teachers assigned as survey enumerators will conduct their fieldwork after school hours during this period.

In the rest of Karnataka, the 8:00 am to 1:00 pm schedule will apply from October 8 to October 12. Officials said the adjustment was made to give teachers enough time to complete their assigned data collection work without affecting classroom teaching.

Why the Change Was Needed

The Department of School Education issued the directive after receiving a communication from the Backward Classes Welfare Department, which is overseeing the Social and Educational Survey. The letter stated that field teams required more time to reach remote areas and verify household data.

Teachers across the state are playing a major role as enumerators in the survey, responsible for collecting detailed information on caste, occupation, education level, and living conditions of households. The early school timings will allow them to continue teaching in the morning and focus on survey duties later in the day.

Officials clarified that the shift in school hours is temporary and will revert to normal schedules once the survey concludes.

The Social and Educational Survey Explained

The ongoing Social and Educational Survey is one of the most comprehensive data-gathering exercises in Karnataka. Commonly referred to as the caste census, it aims to assess the socio-economic conditions of various communities in the state.

The survey includes questions related to:

• Caste and community details
• Family income and occupation
• Access to education and employment
• Ownership of assets and housing conditions

The findings are expected to provide a data-backed basis for reservation policies and welfare schemes for backward classes, minorities, and economically weaker sections.

Teachers Balancing Dual Responsibilities

While the government’s decision to modify school hours has been welcomed by many administrators, some teachers’ groups have expressed concerns about the workload. Teachers say balancing classroom teaching and field survey duties can be physically and mentally taxing, especially in rural areas where survey work involves long-distance travel.

“Many teachers are working late into the evening after school to complete the survey forms. The timing change helps, but the workload remains heavy,” said a teacher from Mandya district.

The Karnataka State Teachers’ Association has urged the education department to consider compensatory leave or additional support once the survey concludes.

Students’ Routine to Be Adjusted

For students, the temporary change means shorter school hours and adjusted lesson plans. Headmasters have been instructed to prioritise core subjects and conduct condensed classes during this two-week period.

Parents in urban areas, particularly Bengaluru, have welcomed the early timings, saying it helps avoid peak traffic hours. However, some rural parents expressed concern that the reduced hours might affect academic progress, especially for students preparing for board exams.

School principals have assured that the lost hours will be compensated through extra classes or revised timetables once normal schedules resume.