Set up timetable generation parameters, time slots, and scheduling constraints.
Time Required: 10 minutes
Module: Timetable (openeducat_timetable)
User Role: Academic Administrator
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Time Slot Configuration
- Working Days
- Break Configuration
- Scheduling Rules
- Auto-Generation Settings
Overview
Timetable configuration allows you to:
- Define time slots for classes
- Set working days and hours
- Configure breaks and lunch periods
- Establish scheduling constraints
- Enable automatic timetable generation
Time Slot Configuration
Navigate to Time Slots
- Go to OpenEduCat > Configuration > Time Slots
- Or Settings > OpenEduCat > Timetable
Creating Time Slots
Click Create and fill in:
| Field | Required | Description | Example |
|---|
| Name | Yes | Slot display name | ”Period 1” |
| Start Time | Yes | Slot start | 09:00 |
| End Time | Yes | Slot end | 09:50 |
| Duration | Auto | Calculated minutes | 50 |
| Slot Type | Yes | Class/Break/Lunch | Class |
Standard Time Slot Template
| Slot | Name | Start | End | Type |
|---|
| 1 | Period 1 | 09:00 | 09:50 | Class |
| 2 | Period 2 | 09:55 | 10:45 | Class |
| 3 | Break | 10:45 | 11:00 | Break |
| 4 | Period 3 | 11:00 | 11:50 | Class |
| 5 | Period 4 | 11:55 | 12:45 | Class |
| 6 | Lunch | 12:45 | 13:30 | Lunch |
| 7 | Period 5 | 13:30 | 14:20 | Class |
| 8 | Period 6 | 14:25 | 15:15 | Class |
| 9 | Period 7 | 15:20 | 16:10 | Class |
Slot Duration Options
| Duration | Use Case |
|---|
| 40 min | Elementary school |
| 50 min | High school standard |
| 60 min | College/University |
| 90 min | Extended lectures |
| 120 min | Labs/Practical |
Working Days
- Go to Settings > OpenEduCat > Timetable
- In Working Days section, check applicable days
| Day | Default |
|---|
| Monday | Enabled |
| Tuesday | Enabled |
| Wednesday | Enabled |
| Thursday | Enabled |
| Friday | Enabled |
| Saturday | Optional |
| Sunday | Disabled |
Half Days
For shortened schedules:
| Setting | Description |
|---|
| Half Day | Day with reduced slots |
| End Time | Early dismissal time |
| Applicable Days | Which days (e.g., Saturday) |
Academic Calendar Integration
Link with holidays:
- Go to OpenEduCat > Configuration > Academic Calendar
- Add holidays and events
- Timetable respects calendar entries
Break Configuration
Types of Breaks
| Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|
| Short Break | Between periods | 5-10 min |
| Long Break | Mid-morning | 15-20 min |
| Lunch | Meal break | 30-60 min |
| Assembly | Morning gathering | 15-30 min |
Creating Break Slots
- Create time slot
- Set Type to “Break” or “Lunch”
- This slot won’t accept class assignments
Break Placement Rules
| Rule | Description |
|---|
| After Period X | Break after specific period |
| Fixed Time | Break at set time |
| Duration-based | After X hours of classes |
Scheduling Rules
Constraint Types
| Constraint | Description | Example |
|---|
| Faculty | Teacher availability | No classes after 3 PM |
| Room | Room availability | Lab only morning |
| Subject | Subject preferences | Math in morning |
| Batch | Batch restrictions | Seniors last period free |
Faculty Constraints
Configure faculty availability:
- Go to OpenEduCat > Faculty > [Select Faculty]
- Open Availability tab
- Define available time slots
- Mark unavailable periods
| Field | Description |
|---|
| Available From | Start time |
| Available To | End time |
| Days | Working days |
| Exceptions | Specific unavailable slots |
Room Constraints
| Constraint | Purpose |
|---|
| Type Match | Labs for practicals only |
| Capacity | Room fits batch size |
| Equipment | Room has required facilities |
| Location | Minimize building changes |
Subject Constraints
| Constraint | Description |
|---|
| Max per Day | Maximum subject occurrences |
| Not Consecutive | Avoid back-to-back |
| Preferred Slots | Morning/Afternoon preference |
| Lab Sessions | Double periods for labs |
Auto-Generation Settings
Enable Auto-Generation
- Go to Settings > OpenEduCat > Timetable
- Enable Auto-Generate Timetable
- Configure generation parameters
Generation Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Default |
|---|
| Optimization Level | Quality vs Speed | Medium |
| Max Iterations | Generation attempts | 1000 |
| Conflict Tolerance | Allowed soft conflicts | 0 |
Generation Algorithm
The system considers:
- Hard constraints (must satisfy)
- Soft constraints (prefer to satisfy)
- Optimization goals (balanced load)
- Resource availability
Manual vs Automatic
| Approach | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Manual | Full control | Time-consuming |
| Automatic | Fast | May need adjustments |
| Hybrid | Balanced | Requires review |
Creating Templates
Save common configurations:
- Create ideal timetable
- Go to Action > Save as Template
- Name the template
- Apply to new batches
Template Uses
| Template | Use Case |
|---|
| Grade-Specific | Standard schedule per grade |
| Department | Department-wide template |
| Shift-Based | Morning/Evening shift |
| Exam Period | Reduced schedule |
Reports and Analysis
| Report | Description |
|---|
| Faculty Workload | Teaching hours per faculty |
| Room Utilization | Room usage percentage |
| Subject Distribution | Subject spread across week |
| Conflict Report | Scheduling conflicts |
Accessing Reports
- Go to OpenEduCat > Reports > Timetable
- Select report type
- Filter by batch/faculty/room
- Export if needed
Best Practices
Planning
- Gather all constraints before generation
- Start with fixed requirements
- Allow flexibility where possible
- Test with pilot batch first
Optimization
- Balance faculty workload
- Avoid long gaps for students
- Group related subjects
- Consider room locations
Maintenance
- Review weekly conflicts
- Update for mid-term changes
- Archive for future reference
Last updated: January 2026
