Noida Schools Get New Screen-Time Rules: 30 Minutes for Primary, 60 for Upper Primary

Schools across Noida and Greater Noida have been asked by the district administration to cap daily screen time at 30 minutes for primary students and 60 minutes for upper-primary students following complaints that children in several schools were spending four to five hours a day using smart and digital boards.

The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration said in a statement on Thursday, August 13, that the directions apply to all government, aided and private schools in the district, with designated magistrates and nodal officers tasked with monitoring compliance. The move follows complaints from parents' associations about the continuous use of smart and digital boards during classroom teaching. Jaipur: Class 12 Student Dies After Eating Patty at School Canteen.

Why Noida Schools Were Asked to Limit Screen Time

The administration said parents' associations had complained that smart and digital boards were being used continuously for teaching, including displaying textbooks and conducting classwork, question-answer sessions and homework.

"Smart and digital boards are a supplementary medium to make teaching more effective, but their continuous and unnecessary use should not affect the health, studies, sports and other activities of students," the statement noted.

The administration said prolonged screen exposure could increase the possibility of eye strain, short-sightedness, headaches, reduced concentration and other physical and behavioural problems among students.

New Screen-Time Limits for Students

The guidelines call for "limited, balanced and purposeful use of smart boards and digital boards" in schools, keeping in view the health and overall development of students.

The administration directed schools to ensure that screen time "does not exceed 30 minutes in primary classes and 60 minutes in upper-primary classes."

Schools have been asked to use smart boards mainly "for explaining difficult concepts and displaying pictures, videos and necessary teaching material" rather than continuously displaying textbooks.

For writing, practice, question-answer sessions and activities involving student participation, schools have been directed to ensure regular use of blackboards, whiteboards or greenboards, it said.

Schools Told to Provide Screen Breaks

The administration also directed schools to "maintain screen brightness and classroom lighting appropriately", ensure students maintain a proper distance from screens and "provide breaks after about 20 minutes of screen use".

For online classes, schools have been asked to follow NCERT guidelines regarding session duration and breaks, as well as the 20-20-20 practice, under which students should look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes of screen use.

Schools have also been asked to promote activity-based learning, reading, writing, sports, group activities and physical exercise.

If students show symptoms such as eye irritation, headaches or blurred vision, parents should be informed immediately and medical advice sought where necessary, the administration said.

Quarterly Eye Checks and Digital-Free Activities

Schools have also been asked to conduct quarterly eye examinations and share the reports with parents, according to the statement.

School management committees have been directed to discuss the guidelines on balanced use of smart and digital boards and students' health, with the minutes of such meetings to be shared with parents during parent-teacher meetings.

Schools have further been encouraged to introduce "digital-free periods, digital zero days and digital detox" activities to provide students adequate opportunities for sports, creative work, reading and social interaction away from screens, it added.

Officials to Monitor Compliance

The new directions apply to government, aided and private schools across Gautam Buddh Nagar.

Designated magistrates and nodal officers will monitor compliance in the schools allotted to them and submit reports through the District Inspector of Schools, Gautam Buddh Nagar, the administration said.

The guidelines are intended to ensure that digital teaching remains a supplementary tool rather than replacing classroom activities that involve writing, reading, physical exercise and direct student participation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 04:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).