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Heard the bell? Drink water: City schools tell kids

Emulating unique initiative from Kerala schools, 7-8 educational instts start regular hydration breaks during study hours, point to its health benefits

While debates may rage over the fees and curricula that school students are exposed to, one aspect most would agree on is safeguarding the health of these children.

And in this vein, shortly after Children’s Day was celebrated last week, a handful of educational institutes in the city have sounded an alert to prompt an important Pavlovian response in kids — drinking water regularly!

The idea borrows from a unique independent initiative announced at schools across Kerala recently, which went viral on social media with the hashtags #ringthebellforwater and #waterbreak. As per this drive, three water breaks were announced in each school of the southern state, with a bell rung every time to remind students to keep hydrated throughout the day.

On the same note, non-profit organisation Association for Primary Education and Research (APER) approached various schools in the city to replicate the classical conditioning programme on Children’s Day.

In less than a week, at least seven or eight schools and educational centres have given the go-ahead to implement the same on their campuses, with some diving into the effort straightaway.

Confirming the development, APER president Dr Swati Popat Vats told Mirror, “We launched the campaign on November 14 and received a good response. It is important to remind students to have water breaks. We asked schools to ring the water bell at least four times during school hours.”

A few educational institutes on board include KJ’s Educational Institute – Trinity International School, Kothari International School, Guruvarya Academy School, Brainstorm International, Mind Ventures International, Serra International School, Apple Blossom Pre-School, Sunderji’s Global Academia and others. Most seemed thrilled by the simple, effective method to boost the health of attending kids.


For instance, Saloni Oswal, coordinator at Kothari International School, shared, “When we were approached about this initiative, we did not need to think twice. We have ordered enough bells to keep in each class, and for now, have started this routine with a drum or tambourine. For the pre-school batch (8.30 am to 12.30 pm), we offer four water breaks; for secondary school students, who are here till 3.30 pm, breaks to drink water come every 30 minutes or so. We have also asked our teachers to keep track of the students’ water-drinking and ensure that they empty their water bottles, refill them.”

Similarly, Brainstorm International founder-director Harshita Sharma informed, “Usually, students have a long and short break in school. In the longer break, they are more interested in playing, and don’t always eat properly, or forget to drink water. So, dedicated sipping intervals are a great idea.”


According to some schools, within just a few days, most students have become acquainted to the ringing bell signaling them to take a swig from their water bottles — and even look forward to it. Azalea Hui, founder-principal at Apple Blossom Pre-School on Pashan-Sus Road, said, “Students are taking this encouragement positively and look forward to drinking water. Younger ones usually neglect to hydrate periodically; some feel scared to ask for permission. In such cases, it is essential to give them a nudge.”

Pointing at the health benefits therein, Mind Ventures International founderdirector Lucky Surana said, “Hydration is needed all day. It impacts the mental health of a child — to keep students mentally fit and increase their concentration level, it is important to have enough water in the system. Just like ringing bells for lectures, why not do it to drink water?”

Dr Abhay Mahindre, director of paediatric and neonatal department at Noble Hospital in Hadapsar, agreed, weighing in on the concept, “It is important that preschool students from four to eight years old drink 1.4 litres of water per day; elder ones from nine to 13 years of age must drink at least 1.9 litres of water daily. If a student neglects his or her water intake, then they usually suffer from dehydration —this affects their digestive system, often causing constipation and/or reducing appetite. To avoid all this, such a step is much appreciated.”

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