Under the current system, 284 out of 799 government school buildings operate on a double-shift schedule, with one set of students attending classes in the morning and another in the evening. Officials say this structure creates administrative and learning challenges and compromises the school experience for students and teachers alike.
Education Minister Atishi said the shift to a single-session format will begin this year and extend through 2029. “A full-day academic calendar with adequate time for instruction, co-curricular activities, and teacher-student interaction is essential for meaningful learning,” she said in a statement distributed to media. The plan calls for the creation of about 10 new schools annually until 2029, supplemented by expanded facilities such as smart classrooms, libraries, and science labs.
The initiative responds to persistently rising student enrollment and aims to align Delhi’s government schools with contemporary educational standards. Government data suggest that institutions operating single shifts achieve higher academic outcomes, as measured by pass rates and quality indices, when compared with those conducting double shifts.
The transition will begin with the conversion of existing double-shift buildings into single-shift schools where space permits. In locations with limited infrastructure, officials intend to acquire new land or retrofit existing campuses to accommodate expanded class hours and facilities. The city has already identified 70 vacant plots for educational expansion, with construction scheduled to begin as early as this spring.
Analysts note the reform could alleviate some systemic challenges in government education. Experts argue that uninterrupted school days make it easier to provide comprehensive lesson plans, greater access to extracurricular opportunities, and improved support services for students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. However, they caution that the plan’s success depends on timely construction, teacher recruitment, and sustained funding.
The announcement follows a broader trend of policy innovation in education. In Illinois, U.S., lawmakers enacted measures in 2025 to safeguard immigrant students’ rights and regulate the use of artificial intelligence in schools, reflecting the increasingly complex intersection of education and societal issues.
Meanwhile, Greece’s Education Ministry moved to overhaul university enrolment by removing over 300,000 dormant students from official rolls, a decision designed to streamline academic operations and improve institutional planning.
In another development, U.S. education observers reported a growing trend of Generation Z adults entering the teaching profession despite challenges related to compensation and burnout, suggesting a generational shift in attitudes toward careers in education.
Delhi’s school reform is poised to influence how state governments rethink long-standing structural issues in public education. The administration has pledged to monitor implementation closely and adjust tactics as needed to ensure a smooth transition and measurable improvements in student outcomes over the next four years.
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