noun
dismissal of class; end of the school day
Refers to the moment classes finish for the day. Often used in the compound 放課後 (after school).
See also: 放課後
放課のチャイムが鳴った。
The dismissal bell rang.
放課後、図書館で勉強する。
I study in the library after school.
noun
Nagoya dialect usage for a break between classes. Not standard Japanese; in most regions 休み時間 or 休憩 is used.
名古屋では、授業の合間の休みを「放課」と言うことがある。
In Nagoya, the break between classes is sometimes called 放課.
Compound of 放 (release, let go) and 課 (lesson, class). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji suggest 'releasing from class'.