City council is debating whether to change the time school zones are enforced in Calgary.

Right now, drivers have to reduce their speed to 30 km an hour after 8 a.m. in a school zone, but council is looking at changing the time they come into effect to 7:30 a.m.

School board officials say many students are already at school by 8 a.m. so the current restrictions don't protect them.

The province is also looking at the issue and is currently debating both school zones and playground zones.

The province has jurisdiction over both and it says it's been getting a lot of feedback saying the rules need to be consistent across Alberta.

The province is considering making school zones across the province go into effect at 7:30 a.m.

The province is also considering making playground zones come into effect at 7:30 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m., which is what they are now.

However, the city may not wait until the province makes a decision on the matter.

If city council wants, it can pass a bylaw now that would make those school zone changes come into effect immediately in Calgary.

Council is debating the issue at its meeting Monday evening.