HRD asks to formulate guidelines on school bag weight

November 27, 2018 Hot from the Oven Valli Sarvani No comments

Many children in the country are suffering with not just the burden of learning but also with the weight of their school books.

Most of schools feel that the heavier the bag, the greater the teaching would be. Even parents are also not aware on how the heavy weight of school bags has been affecting the health of their children.

They few who are conscious about the health issues are ignored by the school management as all books are essential and it is their rule.

So, they are unable to do anything except to accept the decision of school management.

As several people have been appealing to consider reducing the weight of school bags, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has asked to formulate guidelines.

The government earlier stated that it was supporting to reduce the weight of school bags.

And it had initiated a pilot project in 25 Kendriya Vidyalayas to reduce the weight of school bags for digital learning has been provided to children through tablets.

Now, HRD ministry issued a statement instructing all state governments and union territories to frame guidelines for regulating the teaching of subjects and weight of school bags.

These guidelines should be compatible with the instructions of the government.

As per government norms, the school bag weight should not exceed 5 kg for classes VIII to X.

The school bag weight should only be 1.5 kg for classes I and II.

And the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) recommended only two books for classes I and II. These are language and mathematics books. And three books for classes III to V.

Moreover, all the textbooks can be freely accessed through their website and mobile devices.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is issuing many circulars to schools asking them to make sure that the weight of school bags is in check.

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