The importance of sufficient sleep and rest for students

Getting enough sleep is essential for a child’s general development, especially in the early school years.

However, the customary early start hours of schools frequently interfere with their regular sleep cycles, which harms their well-being and academic performance.

In most Dar es Salaam schools, morning sessions for classes four and seven usually start between six and seven in the morning.

This necessitates students in these classes to wake up as early as four in the morning, depending on the distance from home to school.

Richard Andrew, 12, a student at Oysterbay Primary School, says waking up in the morning to go to school is the most tormenting experience for him.

“It feels like a never-ending struggle every morning, and I wish I could just stay in bed and sleep a little longer. The alarm clock has become my worst enemy, as it always rings just when I feel like I've only slept for a few minutes.

Every morning, when his mother wakes him up to go to school, instead of feeling excited about the day ahead, Richard buries his head under the pillow, wishing for a few more minutes of sleep.

“I wonder why school starts so early; can't they let us sleep a little more?” Richard wonders.

Beatrice Edward, 10, a student at Zanaki Primary School, shares that even after finally managing to drag herself out of bed, her eyes struggle to open, and she finds it hard to even see clearly.

“Waking up early for school every morning is hard for me. It's a constant battle against sleep, and it’s affecting my ability to concentrate and enjoy my day at school."

Beatrice wishes there was a way school could start a little later so “we could get the rest we need to be able to focus on our studies.”

Parents too are affected, especially those who have to wake up at the same time as their children to ensure they get to school on time.

Sarah Joseph, whose son is in Standard Seven, is considering sending him to boarding school.

“Now that he has to be in class at 6 a.m., I have no choice but to get up at 4 a.m. It's just been a month since we started getting up this early, but I am already fed up,” she shares.

The mother of two says she sympathises with her son because the new timetable seems to be taking a toll on him.

“I think staying at school will be a lot better for him. I’m sure he sleeps off in class,” she says.

Janeth Josephat, a mother of four, notes that she completely understands the struggle of getting children to wake up in the morning.

“It can be a daunting task that leaves us both physically and emotionally drained. Complaints and requests of "just five more minutes, please!" have become all too familiar in our household,” she reveals.

Janeth says the early morning awakenings can be a source of frustration and stress for parents who are already juggling numerous responsibilities.

“It often feels like a monumental task to persuade our sleepyheads out of bed and convince them that the day ahead holds excitement and promise,” she notes.

Another parent, Eliud Samuel, says he is deeply aware of the impact that these early morning struggles can have on children's overall well-being.

“Tired and irritable, they face a significant disadvantage in terms of concentration, focus, and productivity throughout the day. We see them grappling with a lack of motivation, often dragging themselves through daily tasks in a tired manner, and a sense of disinterest,” he says.

“We want our children to thrive and succeed, and seeing them struggle with the simple task of waking up in the morning highlights the difficulties they are facing.”

Eliud advises parents to be understanding and seek solutions to help their children adjust to the challenging times.

Whether it's adjusting their sleep schedules, implementing morning routines, or finding innovative ways to engage their interests, Eliud says parents should proactively address these obstacles to ensure their children's overall well-being and success.

Zubeda Ramadhani, a primary school teacher in Dar es Salaam, says there are several reasons why they encourage students, especially those in standard seven and standard four, to come to school early.

She says getting to school early allows students to settle in and prepare themselves mentally for the school day.

It gives them a peaceful and calm environment to organise their thoughts and get ready to engage in learning activities.

Another advantage, according to Baraka Hafidhi, also a teacher, is that students get the chance to review their lessons or complete any unfinished assignments from the previous day.

“This extra time in the morning provides a golden opportunity for students to clarify doubts or seek assistance from their classmates or teachers, ultimately strengthening their understanding of what they have been taught. A solid foundation of understanding is crucial for academic success,” he explains.

Irene Benjamin, a teacher in Dar es Salaam, concurs. She says early arrival at school allows teachers to allocate time for individual attention and address students’ specific needs.

“Teachers can provide extra support or guidance to struggling students, ensuring that no one is left behind in their academic journey,” says Irene.

This personalised attention can boost students' confidence, motivation, and passion for learning, leading to improved academic performance.

She says arriving at school early helps students develop discipline and time-management skills.

It instills in them a sense of responsibility and punctuality, which are essential qualities that will benefit them academically and later in life.

The teacher says that by establishing a routine of waking up early to get ready for school, children develop good habits that promote success in various aspects of their lives.

Despite the above-mentioned benefits, sleep deprivation can have a negative impact on both learning and children’s well-being.

A psychologist from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mr Isaac Lema, says that lack of sleep can have a profound impact on children's mood and behaviour.

“It can lead to increased irritability, difficulties in regulating emotions, and a reduced attention span in the classroom, ultimately affecting their academic performance.

The psychologist says insufficient sleep hampers the children’s ability to consolidate memories and learn new information effectively, hence delaying their overall cognitive development.

To avoid this, he says it is essential to prioritise and promote healthy sleep habits among children.

He advises parents to establish consistent bedtimes that provide an adequate amount of sleep for their children.

Scientifically, a primary school student needs nine to 11 hours of sleep, which is the best to support their physical and mental well-being.

“Parents should encourage a conducive sleep environment. This includes ensuring their children's bedroom is quiet, dark, and comfortably cool.”

Minimising exposure to electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, before bed, is crucial, as the blue light emitted by these devices can disrupt the production of melatonin, a hormone essential for sleep onset, Lema explains.

Interviewed parents want schools to think beyond academics and take into account how sleep deprivation impacts students’ ability to learn.