THE school year has started.

For kids, the day starts with a hectic rush to get ready.

Schools should consider starting the day later, instead of at 7.30am.

If this were the case, parents would be under less pressure in the mornings.

Also, children who travel to school themselves could wake up later. Getting more sleep would mean that they can absorb more information in school, compared to someone who has to wake up at 5am just to get to school on time.

For parents who have two or more children and who live far away from their children's schools, this could be a lifeline.

Only parents who have to make double or more trips to get all their children to school on time can understand the stress of doing so.

There are some concerns about issues that may arise with a later starting time.

Firstly, parents are worried that should school start half an hour later, their children would get home half an hour later, too.

However, it is worth it if it saves parents and children stress in the mornings.

Secondly, there is concern that parents may have to take their kids to school during the morning peak hours.

However, one must bear in mind that the option of taking children to school earlier is still there.

The change in time is more for the benefit of families who live far away from the children's schools.

Mr Tan Ning Xuan

For more my paper stories click here.