Following the footsteps of south Indian states, the education department in Goa has decided to make water breaks in schools mandatory to ensure students are adequately hydrated.

Goa’s deputy director of education Shailesh Sinai Zingade has mandated that there shall be two compulsory water breaks of two minutes each every day in a circular sent to all schools. 

“It has been observed that students in school do not drink sufficient water which results in dehydration which in turn may have long-lasting effects on their health,” Zingade said.

“In every school, there shall be water breaks of two minutes each after the second period and sixth period indicated by ringing a short bell,” he said.

All government, government-aided, unaided primary, middle, secondary, higher secondary and special schools in the state will have to follow the water break rule with immediate effect.

The circular covers around 270,000 students enrolled in schools in Goa from the primary to the higher secondary level. 

Introduced first in Kerala, the concept of water breaks was later implemented by other south Indian states including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana.

Also read: After Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu schools to have water breaks

Source: Hindustan Times