Schools in Noida and Greater Noida have been directed to limit students’ daily screen exposure following complaints that children in some schools were spending four to five hours using smart and digital boards. Designated magistrates and nodal officers will monitor compliance and submit reports through the District Inspector of Schools, Gautam Buddh Nagar. Under the new guidelines, screen time should “not exceed 30 minutes in primary classes and 60 minutes in upper-primary classes.
The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration said the directions apply to government, aided and private schools across the district.
New Guidelines for Smart Board Usage in Schools
The administration has responded to concerns raised by parents’ associations regarding the excessive use of smart and digital boards in classrooms. While acknowledging that these boards can enhance teaching effectiveness, officials emphasized that their overuse should not compromise students’ health, academic performance, or participation in sports and other activities.
Schools are now directed to utilize smart boards primarily for explaining complex concepts and showcasing educational materials such as images and videos. Traditional blackboards, whiteboards, or greenboards should be used for writing, practice, and interactive sessions.
Additional guidelines include ensuring appropriate screen brightness and classroom lighting, maintaining a proper distance from screens, and implementing breaks after approximately 20 minutes of screen time. For online classes, schools are advised to adhere to NCERT guidelines regarding session lengths and breaks, as well as the 20-20-20 rule, which suggests looking away from screens every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at a distance of 20 feet.
